Company: Megaphone – Melbourne, Australia
Nomination Submitted by: Megaphone
Company Description: Megaphone is a full-service digital marketing agency with a proudly unique culture that has continually striven toward two goals: one, be the world’s best marketing agency, and two, be the world's best place to work. Led by 2x Woman of the Year, Megaphone has 120+ staff across Australia; services 350+ diverse businesses, and holds the title of 2024’s Top Rated Digital Marketing Company.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Woman of the Year - Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
 Nomination Title: Lauren Oakes
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Lauren Oakes, a two-time Woman of the Year and six-time leadership award-winner, including Executive of the Year and People-Focused CEO of the Year, has driven remarkable achievements at Megaphone. She pioneered the first-ever Australian event featuring TikTok, Meta, and Google under one roof, and has helped literally hundreds of business owners achieve their growth goals – injecting significant growth into the Australian economy as a result.
Under Lauren's leadership, not only has Megaphone has delivered industry-leading results for hundreds of clients, significantly improving the lives of many business owners (see the impressive results here), but she's also built a culture of radical personal development; starting book clubs, mentorship programs, and women-in-business development groups. Lauren has also been mentoring
Even while seven months pregnant, Lauren secured a revolutionary partnership with Pixis, a disruptive marketing AI company. This partnership grants Megaphone exclusive national rights to the software, allowing over 300 clients to achieve superior results compared to their competition—an unprecedented achievement in the Australian marketing industry.
Lauren's impact – a "chain reaction" effect, so to speak – has positioned Megaphone at the forefront of the industry. Her strategic vision and relentless drive have not only propelled Megaphone to new heights but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement and success as a top-rated workplace.
Lauren's remarkable achievements and visionary leadership continue to shape the future of digital marketing in Australia. And to do so while navigating the exciting world of motherhood – inspiring women throughout the world of business – is remarkable.
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2022 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 197 words used.
Under Lauren Oakes' leadership, Megaphone has become a beacon of innovation and excellence in global marketing. Since becoming CEO in 2019, Lauren has transformed the agency, fostering a culture where individuals thrive and deliver exceptional results. Starting as a Junior Account Manager, her rise to CEO reflects her ambition and innovative mindset. Lauren's vision emphasizes creating an excellent workplace and promoting personal growth.
Since January 2022, Lauren has expanded Megaphone from 70 to over 100 employees, doubled the client base, and maintained strong revenue despite economic challenges. Her strategic moves include partnering with AI disruptor Pixis and introducing Amazon marketing in Australia.
Lauren focuses on team development through mentorship, book clubs, and workshops, creating a culture of continuous learning. Her leadership earned Megaphone the title of Australia’s Leading Digital Marketing Agency in 2023 and numerous other accolades. Lauren herself received several awards, including Woman of the Year in Advertising and Female CEO of the Year.
She also champions diversity, with 73% female leadership at Megaphone, and supports not-for-profits like Make-A-Wish and OzHarvest. Lauren's influence extends beyond the corporate world, mentoring women in business since 2019. Now, she balances these achievements as a new mother to six-month-old Piper.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 247 words used.
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73 Questions with Lauren: This video provides a personal look at Lauren Oakes, showcasing her leadership style and philosophy. Watch here
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Lauren's LinkedIn: Regular posts from Lauren demonstrate her ongoing commitment to innovation, mentorship, and industry leadership. With nearly 11,000 followers, she is highly respected in her industry. See Lauren Oakes on LinkedIn
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Megaphone Case Studies: A collection of case studies detailing the impressive results achieved for clients under Lauren’s leadership can be found here: Megaphone Case Studies
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Awards and Recognitions: A detailed list of Megaphone and Lauren awards since 2022, showcasing the impact of her leadership, can be seen here.
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Pixis Partnership: Lauren pioneered the Australia-first partnership, which is already disrupting the industry. Clients are seeing an improvement of 25% since implementation. The partnership is covered in this Mumbrella article, which highlights its significance in the industry.
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Lauren's Sales Course: Beyond being an expert in marketing and leadership, Lauren is also a sales weapon. Always upskilling those around her (including fellow women in business), Lauren put together the More Than Sales Course – designed to help people build better communication skills, better relationships, and better businesses (use LAUREN100 for free access)
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Under Lauren's leadership, emphasing transparency, honesty and care, Megaphone has been awarded Best Agency Customer Service for five consecutive years. Read more here.
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Lauren also runs several events for Australian business owners to help local owners find their community. Attention Retention, Digital Leaders Summit and The Baby Strategy Shower.
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Lauren's educational YouTube channel
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 238 words used.
Lauren Oakes’ achievements stand out in the fiercely competitive marketing industry due to their scale, impact, and innovative approaches. Unlike many industry peers, Lauren has focused on creating a culture of continuous personal and professional development, which has directly translated into superior business outcomes. Her leadership in forming a groundbreaking partnership with Pixis has given Megaphone a significant competitive edge, allowing clients to leverage cutting-edge AI technology for unparalleled marketing results.
The growth metrics under Lauren’s tenure are particularly impressive. Expanding from 70 to over 120 employees and doubling the client base in just over two years is a testament to her strategic vision and execution capabilities. In contrast, many competitors have struggled with retention and growth, especially amidst economic challenges.
Lauren’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion, with 73% female leadership, sets Megaphone apart from other agencies where such representation is rare. This focus on a diverse and inclusive workplace has fostered innovation and creativity, further driving the company's success. Additionally, in an industry predominantly led by men, Lauren's achievements in establishing and maintaining a majority-female leadership team are particularly significant. She serves as a role model and trailblazer for women in business, demonstrating that leadership excellence transcends gender.
Furthermore, Lauren’s balance of professional excellence and personal milestones, such as becoming a mother, showcases her exceptional ability to lead with empathy and resilience. This unique combination of personal and professional triumphs makes Lauren’s achievements both significant and inspirational.
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