Written by Ailsa Buckley, Managing Director of Havas Media
For the first time, the M&M Global Awards welcomed the Media Leader Categories to its programme, introduced through a new partnership with The Media Leader. The categories celebrate the individuals making a lasting impact on the media industry, recognising those driving innovation, championing talent and shaping the sector’s future.
As part of our ‘Behind the Trophy’ series, we caught up with Ailsa Buckley, Managing Director of Havas Media, this year’s Media Agency Leader winner, to discuss what the recognition means to her, why celebrating the people behind the industry matters, and what advice she would give to others considering putting themselves forward for an award.
Explore the full list of 2026 M&M Global Awards winners here: https://www.festivalofmedia.com/mm-global-awards/winners/
What did winning a Leadership Award at this year’s M&M Global Awards mean to you?
Winning the award feels like recognition for the journey we have been on with Havas Media and that means it’s a win for all those I work alongside too. The whole delivery that has been achieved over the last year is a reflection of the brilliant people I work with.
What does this recognition mean to you at this stage of your career?
The recognition means that it’s true what I’ve been told, don’t try and be someone you are not – there isn’t a need to emulate others. This award is a reminder that leading with empathy and putting talent first genuinely works. That’s deeply reassuring and motivating to me in equal measure.
When I look at the evidence of my approach, it’s about the people I’ve helped develop and the culture we’ve built together. It shows that you can be successful by championing others.
What do you hope winning the award will bring to you and your career moving forward?
My hope is that it gives me a bigger platform to champion the things I care about most — nurturing emerging talent, building inclusive teams, and proving that kindness and high performance aren’t mutually exclusive. If this recognition helps even a few more leaders choose empathy over ego, then it will have been worth far more than any career boost it brings me personally.
Why do you think it’s important to recognise the individuals who are leading and shaping the future of the media industry?
Our industry moves fast, and it’s easy to celebrate campaigns and results while overlooking the people quietly shaping culture behind the scenes. Recognising leaders, especially those who lift others up, sets the tone for what we value. It sends a message to the next generation that how you lead matters just as much as what you achieve.
Would you recommend entering the Leadership Awards to other industry professionals? If so, why?
The process is valuable in as it forces you to reflect honestly on your impact, your team, and the kind of leader you want to be. Paving new ways of doing things means that what you do could be the next type of leadership required in this fast paced media world.
What advice would you give to someone considering putting themselves forward for a Leadership Award next year?
Don’t let modesty hold you back, but don’t lose sight of who got you there. Make sure to tell the story of your team as much as your own. The best leadership isn’t about individual heroics, it’s about the people you’ve empowered and the environment and culture you’ve created, so use that as the basis for your entry. Be authentic, be generous with credit, and trust that genuine impact speaks for itself.
