Thank you for joining us for the 2025 AAM Awards!

The fourth annual AAM Awards took place at lunchtime on Wednesday 30th April 2025 in Naarm/Melbourne at the Northcote Social Club.

Presented by White Sky, the 2025 AAM Awards celebrated the exceptional achievements of Australian artist managers, spotlighting the global impact, dedication, and passion of those driving the success of Australian talent, both at home and abroad. This annual event serves as a moment for managers and industry professionals to come together, to celebrate and reflect upon the individual and collective milestones of the Australian management community.

“Australian managers work tirelessly to build sustainable careers for their artists, and our goal is to celebrate those achievements, in what is usually the most heart-warming event of the year!”  – AAM Executive Director, Maggie Collins

Hosted by the wonderful Tait McGregor, six awards were presented at this year’s ceremony, including a brand new awards category - the Emerging Manager of the Year award. The 2025 APRA AMCOS Lighthouse Award was also presented as part of the event.

See below for details on this years winners, shortlisted nominees, and sponsors!

2025 Winners

Manager of the Year, Presented by White Sky

Andrew Klippel, Ourness
Roster: Genesis Owusu, Royel Otis

Andrew is an award-winning producer, songwriter, and co-founder of Ourness, an independent label and management company known for launching globally recognised talent. His journey began as a member of the ’90s chart-topping act Euphoria before transitioning into artist development and publishing, contributing to the success of The Veronicas, The Vines, and Empire of the Sun. With a distinct approach to management, Andrew has crafted bespoke creative teams and strategies that have led to chart-topping pop hits, artist development, and back to back ARIA Album of the Year wins. His work has earned industry-wide acclaim, including Independent Label of the Year at the AIR Awards.

Andrew’s expertise in production, songwriting, and artist management continues to shape the next generation of groundbreaking talent. In the past year, Andrew has led a series of standout moments across his roster, demonstrating exceptional strategic foresight, creativity, and business acumen.

With Genesis Owusu, Andrew implemented an innovative strategy to maintain visibility and momentum while the artist focused on creating his third album. He secured performances at the National Gallery of Victoria Gala and the Art Gallery of NSW’s Volumes program - ensuring Genesis Owusu's unique artistic profile wasn’t compromised while navigating the notoriously challenging performance spaces. Genesis joined IDLES on their UK tour, expanding his presence in a key global market.

Meanwhile, Royel Otis became a breakout global act under Andrew’s guidance. He capitalised on the viral success of their cover of “Murder on the Dance Floor,” launching a multi-platform strategy that translated into over 1 billion TikTok views, 100 million+ streams, a Billboard Hot 100 debut, and the #1 spot on US Alternative Radio. Their catalog strategy turned viral attention into sustained listenership. The momentum continued with their SiriusXM cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger”, which climbed to #4 on the SiriusXM Alt Nation Alt 18 Countdown, cracked the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, and entered the Billboard Hot 100 - solidifying Royel Otis' resonance with global audiences. Andrew and the team funnelled new audiences to the band’s original work, lifting total streams to over 750 million and monthly Spotify listeners to over 9 million. This holistic approach - combining real-time audience insights, organic fan-driven content, and traditional industry levers like radio, playlisting, press, and brand partnerships - maximised momentum and expanded their global fanbase in a sustained, measurable way. Andrew transformed Royel Otis from a local indie band into a globally recognised force.

A meticulously planned international touring campaign developed in close collaboration with ATC Live and Arrival Artists, followed the release of PRATTS & PAIN, selling over 100,000 headline tickets and placing Royel Otis on major global festival stages including Primavera Sound, Sziget,  Shaky Knees, Reading & Leeds, Boston Calling, Austin City Limits, and more.

Royel Otis received four ARIA Awards (from eight nominations) including Best Group, Best Rock Album, Best Engineer, Best Producer, AIR’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Grammy’s ‘Artists to Watch 2024’ and Fender Next Artist, US TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, global features from NME, BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, and NME cover story to Apple Music 1, syncs in EA Sports’ FC24, Billboard Hot 100 for 2 songs from PRATTS & PAIN, and multiple Gold certifications.

Breakthrough Manager of the Year, Presented by DMT Law Firm

James Fava, Intergalactic Fantastic Worldwide
Roster: Dom Dolla, Anna Lunoe, Torren Foot, Airwolf Paradise

James is the founder of Intergalactic Fantastic Worldwide (IFW), a visionary artist management company dedicated to developing Australian talent and their creative vision throughout the universe. With a sharp focus on global growth and innovation in electronic music, James leads with a commitment to shaping the future of the industry.

In the past year alone, under James' strategic leadership, Dom Dolla has become the highest-selling Australian electronic artist and the fourth highest-selling Australian artist overall - alongside legends like AC/DC, John Farnham, and Midnight Oil. Dom made history as the first DJ to ever sell out two nights at Madison Square Garden, while also selling out two nights at LA’s BMO Stadium (40,000 tickets total) and another 20,000 tickets across London and Manchester.

Back home, Dom’s Australian tour shattered expectations, selling an incredible 170,000 tickets across four cities. This meteoric rise has been complemented by a Las Vegas and Ibiza residency, over half a billion global streams, and a Grammy nomination. Dom also surpassed one million Instagram followers, reinforcing his global presence and mass appeal.

James is also a partner at Three Six Zero, a leading international management and entertainment company operating at the cutting edge of music, film, television, and digital content. His work is not only shaping the future of electronic music but also redefining the role of a modern artist manager—visionary, strategic, and unafraid to reach for the stars.

Emerging Manager of the Year, Presented by Live Event Logistics

Elise Naismith, Lemon Tree Music
Roster: Kita Alexander

Elise is a dynamic senior manager at Lemon Tree Music, representing a roster of global talent. With over nine years of experience, six of which have been dedicated to artist management, Elise has become a key emerging figure in launching the careers of some of the most exciting names in Australian music today. Her artists have seen major accomplishments including sold out tours, community and commercial radio play in Australia, radio #1 in the USA, high-profile brand partnerships; as well as multi ARIA, APRA, NIMA & Rolling Stone Australia award nominations and wins. A passionate advocate for career sustainability and wellbeing, Elise is committed to creating lasting careers in the industry - across artists and their teams.

In the past 12 months, Elise has delivered career-defining milestones for her artists. She secured Kita Alexander’s first-ever arena tour supports, including Maddison Beer's sold-out 2024 arena tour and as a main support slot on Dua Lipa’s sold-out Australia/New Zealand arena tour in 2025. Under her leadership, Kita landed multiple major brand partnerships and released a debut album that achieved a #3 spot on the ARIA Australian Artist Albums Chart and #4 on the ARIA Vinyl Charts. The release also brought in Kita’s first ARIA Award nominations - including the coveted Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Beyond the stats and accolades, Elise has cultivated a deeply supportive and empathetic team to create a safe space for the artist, which encourages them to lean into their authenticity and create their most vulnerable and best music to date…watch this space!

Community Engagement Award, Presented by Oztix

Louise Sawilejskij, Nala Music
Roster: Tijuana Cartel, Declan Kelly, Ren Stone

Louise is a passionate music worker and artist manager based on the NSW Central Coast. Founder of Nala Music, she’s spent 12+ years championing live music, festivals, and artist growth. A fierce advocate for gender and cultural diversity, Louise is committed to building a thriving, inclusive music scene across the Central Coast. Her work uplifts artists while strengthening the infrastructure that supports them - from grassroots to festival stages. 

In the past year, Louise has elevated her impact through a number of high-profile initiatives. She launched the CCMA Monthly Meetup, a roving professional development and networking series for artists and industry workers that also supports local venues by rotating locations across the region. As Executive Director of Central Coast Music & Arts she leads the Tubular Festival, and as Festival Director of Gossy Weekender 2024, she brought together a vibrant program that amplified community spirit and showcased diverse talent. Additionally, she played a vital role as a judge and mentor in the 2024 Discovered and Battle of the Bands competitions run by Central Coast Council, nurturing emerging artists with both feedback and guidance.

Her leadership continues to attract meaningful support, and Lou is currently also spearheading a Womxn in Music panel series and mentorship program.

Legacy Award Winner, Presented by Frontier Touring

John Watson, John Watson Management / Eleven; A Music Company
Roster: Birds of Tokyo, Cold Chisel, Gotye, Midnight Oil, Missy Higgins and The Presets.

A true trailblazer in artist management, John Watson has represented iconic acts including Cold Chisel, Missy Higgins, Midnight Oil, Birds of Tokyo, Gotye, The Presets, and more. Beyond his incredible contributions to the industry, John has been integral in advocacy efforts like ‘Michaels Rule’ with the AAM.

On winning this year’s Legacy Award, John said “It’s never been more critical to keep advocating for more Australian songs on our stages, on our airwaves, and on the multinational platforms through which most people discover music. The AAM is a key voice in this advocacy, and I’m very proud to be a part of it.”

Patrons Gift Award Winner, Curated and Presented by the AAM Patrons

Summer King, Topic Artists
Roster: Sycco, Mel Blue, Oscar the Wild

Since entering artist management in 2019, Summer has worn many hats, including producer, creative director, label manager, project manager, and VJ. Working alongside her co-manager, she’s built strong foundations for her artists, securing international deals and partnerships. Her strategic touring approach has led to sold-out national tours, major festival appearances, and shows in the US and the UK. Summer also spearheads creative campaigns for album releases, managing all aspects of art, photography, and video production. Her expertise in artist development and ability to nurture genre-crossing talent continues to propel her roster to new heights.

In the past 12 months, Summer has delivered some of her most impactful work to date. She launched Sycco’s debut album Zorb, which resonated with both critics and fans, winning triple j’s Album of the Year and earning an ARIA nomination for Breakthrough Artist - a major milestone for both artist and manager. She conceived and produced an ambitious and immersive headline tour “In The Zorb House Party”, that blended live music, live visuals, projections, and DJ sets, transforming the traditional album tour into a full sensory world that fans could step into, setting a new standard for Sycco’s live performances.

Meanwhile, she also secured a major sync breakthrough for Oscar Sharah, whose production on BLKBSTR’s single “Ciao” was featured in Apple’s global iPad campaign, marking a defining moment for Oscar’s career trajectory.

With an artist-first approach, technical excellence, and visionary thinking, Summer continues to redefine what’s possible in artist management and creative leadership.

2025 Shortlist Nominees

Manager of the Year - Presented by White Sky

Andrew Klippel, Ourness

Dan Nascimento, UNIFIED Music Group

Jacqueline Thomas-Piccardi, Cinque Artist Management

Leigh Treweek, Handshake MGMT

Simone Ubaldi & Andrew Parisi, Sundowner Artists

Breakthrough Manager of the Year - Presented by DMT Law Firm

Ash Hills, UNIFIED Music Group

James Fava, Intergalactic Fantastic Worldwide

Luke Giannoukas, Teamwrk Management

Sarah McMillan, BootsDarling Music

Steve de Wilde, UNIFIED Music Group

Emerging Manager of the Year - Presented by Live Event Logistics

Damien Platt, Palms Management

Elise Naismith, Lemon Tree Music

Kristie McCarthy, Lemon Tree Music

Rachel Whitford, 27 Music

Zac Abroms, Viceroyalty

Community Engagement Award - Presented by Oztix

Fiona Duncan, Loog Management

Louise Sawilejskij, Nala Music

Nick Finch, Low and Tight

Stu McCullough, Amplifire Music

Skinny O’Leary, Sidequest

Sponsors

A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors for making the 2025 AAM Awards an event to remember! Your generosity and support allows us to honour and celebrate the outstanding achievements in Australian artist management, and made this year's event a true celebration of talent, dedication, and excellence in our industry.

Key Sponsors:

Major Sponsor:

White Sky - Major Sponsor and Manager of the Year Sponsor

Since our foundation in 2002, White Sky has been at the forefront of defining accounting services in the Australian music industry. Our drive to continually build and improve our services is why White Sky quickly became and remains Australia’s largest music accounting services business.

DMT Law Firm - Breakthrough Manager of the Year Sponsor

Based in Los Angeles, DMT Law is one of the premiere music immigration boutiques in the US filing hundreds of O-1B and O-2 petitions annually for artists, crew, management, and others.  Collaborating closely with most of the major agencies and management companies from across the globe, DMT Law Firm brings a unique approach that is tailored to the needs and challenges specific to the music industry, streamlining the process and eliminating much of the client’s normal visa workload for quick and cost-effective immigration outcomes.

Live Event Logistics - Emerging Manager of the Year Sponsor

Live Event Logistics provide specialised and personalised freight and logistics services to the live event, entertainment, sport, production and creative industries, across Australia and around the world. Established in 2017, the business now operates on a global scale, servicing all areas of the world within their network of offices and partners. LEL provides a range of in-house freight solutions in all countries including, tour trucking, general road freight, international shipping (air and sea), carnet & trade documents, site labour and itinerary planning.

Frontier Touring - Legacy Award Sponsor

Frontier Touring is one of the most respected, long-standing, and proactive concert promoters in Australasia. Formed in 1979, Frontier has had a fundamental role in entertaining Australians and New Zealanders across four decades. Founded by the late Michael Gudinski, Frontier Touring fast developed into one of the most highly respected touring companies in the Southern Hemisphere and continues to produce some of the most memorable tours to ever visit “down under”. Frontier Touring has toured some of the world’s most established and up and coming artists. Many of the most successful tours were the result of years of planning and the gradual (or sometimes meteoric) increase in venue size from tour to tour over the span of an artist’s career.

Oztix - Community Engagement Award Sponsor

Oztix proudly stands as 100% Australian-owned and operated, igniting the scene since 2003. As Australia's leading independent ticketing company, we've earned the trust of the nation's premier promoters, venues, bookers, and event organisers. With a deep-rooted passion for live music, we're honoured to support the Association of Artist Managers Awards once again in recognising the efforts of the talented managers who represent artists that we have helped connect to live audiences, or will be soon!

Friends of the AAM Sponsors:

AP Touring: AP Touring is an Australian-owned entertainer bus company, providing bands and solo artists with their own personal home-away-from-home since 2014.

GYROStream: GYRO is the leading independent and Australian-owned digital music distribution and artist services company with a local touch and a global reach. Part of GYROgroup, GYRO offers a customer-focused distribution experience with premium support as its core offering. The company now has offices in Australia, USA, UK, Brazil, Philippines and India. GYROstream offers a range of features and additional artist services including royalty payment splits, publishing administration via GYROpublishing, sync pitching services and artist promotional services such as publicity, brand partnerships and marketing. Through the GYROgroup’s white-label distribution platform, DistroDirect and global artist services arm GROUP SPEED, GYRO is achieving recognition and success for independent artists and labels on a global scale.

Media Arts Lawyers: For over 20 years, Media Arts Lawyers has given practical and commercial legal advice to clients throughout the entertainment, media, and creative industries. Acting for high-profile talent and multinational companies alongside emerging and fledgling projects, we set the benchmark for creative strategic legal solutions – no matter the deal size. Our combined experience means that we have the skill, deep networks, lateral thinking, and foresight to achieve the best commercial outcomes for our clients.

PPCA: Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) is a non-profit copyright collecting society that provides blanket licences for the use of recorded music and video clips in Australia. Revenue generated from licensing is distributed to registered record labels and artists so they can continue to make music for all of us to enjoy. If your artists control the copyright in their recordings, or feature on recordings, make sure you have your PPCA details up to date! www.ppca.com.au

Sony Music Entertainment: At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth.

SXSW Sydney: Join the best emerging and established talent from Australia and beyond at SXSW Sydney 2025, from October 13 to 19. This is an unmissable week for up-and-coming artists, industry professionals keen to unearth them, or music lovers who want to hear them first. SXSW Sydney’s mission is to help creative people to achieve their goals and to blend innovation, risk, beauty, and empathy to make the world a place where we all want to live. With even more ways to participate or attend SXSW Sydney this year, we hope to see you there.

Universal Music Australia: At Universal Music Group, we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Universal Music Australia (UMA) is a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), we are a community of entrepreneurs committed to artistry, creativity and innovation, UMA fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Our work extends beyond signing and developing domestic Australian artists, we also provide global promotion, distribution and a full suite of artist services and support. We have enjoyed great success over the last decade with our domestic artists. For more information visit Universal Music Australia website.

Award Categories

Manager of the Year - Presented by White Sky

The past 12 months have been a defining chapter in this senior manager's career after consistent work over many years. They’ve successfully employed innovative, creative and/or non-traditional strategies in their management approach, which has led to significant career developments and unparalleled growth for their artist(s) and/or themselves. In instances where they have managed multiple acts, they have maintained balance across their roster, focusing equally on long-term career development and immediate opportunities, all while growing or contributing to a top-tier, profitable artist management business.

Breakthrough Manager of the Year - Presented by DMT Law Firm

This award is for the “moment maker” of the year. The profile of this manager’s artist(s) exploded in the past year resulting in significant and accelerated growth. Their moment in the media and/or fan spotlight has been a result of the artists’ talent met with this manager’s savvy understanding of the global market, precision judgement of timing, wider team management, and overall hustle to make the most out of every opportunity.

This manager has displayed innovative, creative and/or non-traditional strategies to capture this momentum, all while working to support long-term, career sustainability for their artist(s). This is a clear breakthrough moment in this person’s career, laying the foundation for their position as a globally recognised manager.

Emerging Manager of the Year - Presented by Live Event Logistics

This award recognizes an emerging manager who has embodied the 'X' factor in their skills and approach to modern artist management. At the coalface of audience development, they have leveraged their hunger to learn, which has resulted in genuine impactful growth for their artist(s). They have navigated obstacles in career growth with ingenuity and creativity. They have overcome challenges with integrity, transparency and consultation. They have demonstrated unwavering dedication during a critical building phase, guiding their artist(s) with exceptional progress, resulting in achievements significantly beyond previous milestones.

Community Engagement Award - Presented by Oztix

This Award is given to a manager who has shown great leadership and initiative within their music community, and whose contribution to the wider industry has gone above and beyond their duties as an artist manager. It is awarded to a manager who has developed respect amongst their peers, despite what commercial successes their act has or has not achieved. This manager has shown strength, leadership and kindness in their traits as a person and has made an indelible impact on the community which they serve.

Legacy Award - Presented by Frontier Touring

The Legacy Award honors an individual whose enduring contributions have shaped the Australian music industry and artist management landscape. This award recognizes a trailblazer whose vision, dedication, and influence have left an indelible mark on the careers of artists and the broader creative community. Through their pioneering achievements, this recipient has set a standard of excellence and inspired generations of managers to follow. Their legacy is a testament to the power of passion, innovation, and commitment in building a thriving and sustainable music industry.

Patrons Gift - Curated by the AAM Patrons

Curated by the AAM Patrons, the Patron’s Gift honours an exceptional artist manager who embodies the core qualities of the profession: a strong work ethic, creativity, resilience, intelligence, and an unwavering passion for their artists’ music. This grant celebrates a manager who has demonstrated these traits while achieving extraordinary milestones, such as taking their artists to global audiences, building sustainable careers, and balancing personal commitments with professional success. Their contributions are a testament to the dedication and impact of artist managers, inspiring and enriching the music community at large.

Nomination & Judging Process

AAM Members will be able to nominate themselves - or another AAM-member manager - for one or more of the following award categories:

  • Manager of the Year

  • Breakthrough Manager of the Year

  • Emerging Manager of the Year

  • Community Engagement Award

(Note: Nominations do not apply to the Legacy Award, which is curated by the AAM Board, nor the Patrons Gift, which is curated by the AAM Patrons.)

Please note nominations closed on Monday 3rd March 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT.

Key Information – Nominations:

  • AAM-member managers can be nominated by another AAM member, or they can self-nominate. There are 2 button links at the bottom of this section - please click the appropriate link, relevant to whether you are nominating yourself, or wish to nominate someone else - to submit a nomination before the nomination deadline of Monday 3rd March at 11:59pm AEDT. If you wish to nominate someone else, you may also submit a nomination for yourself.

    • If you are self-nominating: When you click the ‘Self-nominate’ button link below, you will be prompted to complete an official nomination form. On the nomination form, you will be able to select which award category(ies) you wish to be considered for; Manager of the Year, Breakthrough Manager of the Year, Emerging Manager of the Year, and/or the Community Engagement Award.

    • If you are nominating someone else: When you click the ‘Nominate Another Manager for an Award’ button link below, you will be asked to complete a form providing the details of the AAM-member manager you wish to nominate. (The AAM team will then contact the nominated manager and ask them to complete an official nomination form, if they wish to be included for consideration for a 2025 AAM Award. When completing the nomination form, the nominated manager will be able to select which of the following award category(ies), they wish to be considered for; Manager of the Year, Breakthrough Manager of the Year, Emerging Manager of the Year, and/or the Community Engagement Award.)

  • Nomination submissions should outline notable achievements from the last 12 months.

  • There is no minimum number of years managing required for any of these categories. The results will speak for themselves!

  • When submitting a nomination, the entrant will be able to click which one or more Award category(ies) they’d like to be considered for. The Judging Panel and AAM Executive team will then determine appropriate groupings for nominees, once all nominations are received.

  • Any information that is submitted, as well as the list of managers who put themselves forward, will be private and only viewed by the Awards judging panel and AAM team.

Key Information – Judging Process:

  • Judging Panel: The 2025 AAM Awards will be judged by a diverse panel of music industry professionals.

  • Timeline: After nominations close on Monday 3rd March 2025 (11:59pm AEDT), the judging process will begin. Shortlist nominees for Manager of the Year, Emerging Manager of the Year, Breakthrough Manager of the Year and the Community Engagement Award will be announced ahead of the Awards ceremony. Award winners will be revealed at the AAM Awards lunchtime ceremony on April 30th 2025.

  • Judging Criteria: Judges will judge based on the information provided in the nomination form. In reviewing nominations for Emerging, Breakthrough and Manager of the Year - and determining the shortlist nominees and winners for these categories - judges will be looking for: Growth, Innovation, Impact and Overcoming Challenges. For the Community Engagement Award, judges will be looking for: Overall Contribution to the greater good (culturally, environmentally, socially and/or politically) and any further information that supports the nominees submission. Nomination forms will contain questions that allow nominees to speak to these criteria.

We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our management community and we highly encourage all active members to nominate themselves - or another manager whom they feel is deserving - for these awards!

Nominations have now closed for 2025.

2025 AAM Awards: Event Details

Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025

Time: 12pm - 3pm AEDT

Venue: Northcote Social Club

Address: 301 High St, Northcote VIC 3070

The 2025 AAM Awards is an invite-only event and capacity is limited. Registration essential.

This event has now passed.

Previous Winners

2024

Manager of the Year: Jeremy Furze, Applejack Music

Breakthrough Manager of the Year: Harry White and Megan Rasmussen, Future Classic

Legacy Award: Jodie Regan, Spinning Top Music

Community Engagement Award: Kerry Kennell, Kennell & Co

Patron’s Gift: Lorrae McKenna, Our Golden Friend

2023

Manager of the Year: Andrew Stone, Chugg Music

Breakthrough Manager of the Year: Charlotte Ried, Powerhouse Management

Legacy Award: Michael McMartin OAM, Melody Management

Community Engagement Award: Jane Slingo, Young Strangers

Patron’s Gift: Ricky Simandjuntak, When Worlds Collide

2022

Manager of the Year: Simone Ubaldi and Andrew Parisi, Sundowner Artists

Breakthrough Manager of the Year: Ellen Kirk, Look Out Kid

Legacy Award: Correne Wilkie, Maven and Muse

Community Engagement Award: Cath Haridy, Catherine Haridy Management