2016 Winners


Laing + Simmons saw the need in offering a different property viewing experience and assembled a team to build a Virtual Reality platform. By introducing Virtual Reality, buyers can experience the actual sights, sounds and feel of an off-the-plan apartment, or property from anywhere in the world. Instead of having to entice customers to view a property, they can now bring the property to them.


“To take the opportunity to be recognised by a credible platform was something I wanted to capitalise on”
In three years, Gavin went from being a personal assistant to the No.1 Salesperson in NSW for Ray White and has held the title ever since. In 2015, he was crowned the No.1 Salesperson for the Group worldwide, from 13,000 Agents.
Gavin has focused on providing excellent customer service to all his customers through three core pillars:
1. Attention to detail – happy customers will return again and again
2. Stay-in-touch programme – being top of mind over several property cycles
3. Innovative use of social media to engage with clients on a personal level

"Winning Brand Campaign of the Year has strengthened our brand reputation among both consumers and the broader real estate industry. Our agents are able to use the accolade in their listing presentations to attract new business, and our corporate teams use the award as a tool of attraction for recruiting new talent into our Group."
Ray White’s ‘Raise More Hands’ campaign was developed to create Australia’s largest auction event and raise the number of properties sold by auction through the business.
Over a two-week period, the campaign resulted in:
- 425 more properties auctioned compared to the previous year (March 2015)
- 83% of Ray White properties listed for auction were involved in Raise More Hands
- More than 1,080 auctions with over $530 million in property sold over a two-week period
- 11 qualified franchise enquiries as a result of the lift-out on 28th February
- Increased media coverage and social video content


Burgess Rawson won the award for transitioning from more traditional media channels to utilizing a cutting-edge realcommercial.com.au digital product to help build their brand online and stand out from the crowd. As the largest locally owned commercial agency in Australia, this increased branding presence enabled them to reinforce their position in the market to current clients, and attract new ones.

Burgess Rawson won the award for transitioning from more traditional media channels to utilizing a cutting-edge realcommercial.com.au digital product to help build their brand online and stand out from the crowd. As the largest locally owned commercial agency in Australia, this increased branding presence enabled them to reinforce their position in the market to current clients, and attract new ones.

CBRE Melbourne’s campaign '308 Exhibition Street Melbourne' was the largest East-End CBD development site to be offered for sale in over a decade and the campaign developed exceeded all vendor exceptions. CBRE developed a premium marketing and sales campaign for both the local and international developer market across all communications channels, and ultimately it led to the largest land transaction ever recorded in the Melbourne CBD. The ‘308 Exhibition Melbourne’ campaign demonstrated that CBRE Melbourne team can develop and deliver a first class client experience tailored to their needs.


Grant listed a property that was deemed uninhabitable, uninsurable and with the added bonus of 75% of it being damaged by termites. With a minimum advertising budget, Grant developed a campaign that heavily utilised social media, PR and listing on realestate.com.au. Grant not only sold the property, but sold it above its reserve price.


The Uniting Church of Australia owned a derelict car park in Paddington that was to be turned into residential property, The Gordon. Having worked with the Uniting Church for five years before the development went to market, Craig was appointed as the sole Project Marketing Agent. Through the execution of an integrated marketing campaign, there were over 450 qualified pre-registrations that resulted in all 19 apartments being sold in 19 minutes, totalling $26 million.


“The prestige and esteem in winning an award of this calibre is amazing. I strongly urge all our regional agents to be involved in the AREAs”
In October 2015, Hugh travelled around NSW on a pink tractor to help raise funds and awareness for the McGrath Foundation and breast cancer. The aim was to raise $250,000 for the McGrath Foundation’s breast cancer nurses in Australia. Through various functions and contacts, Hugh managed to raise over $380,000 – the highest individual amount ever raised for the McGrath Foundation.