Recognition and growth: SIXGUN’s experience with the APAC Search Awards
SIXGUN has spent years refining a deliberate, evidence-driven approach to search marketing. Entering the APAC Search Awards became a natural extension of that work, offering an opportunity to benchmark our performance and contribute to an industry that benefits from greater transparency and higher standards. Preparing submissions also challenged us to articulate strategy and impact in ways day-to-day delivery doesn’t always demand.
Why we began entering the APAC Search Awards
Our first entries were driven by a desire to validate our approach independently. The search industry is crowded with broad claims and inconsistent quality. So having expert judges review real campaigns offers clarity for clients and accountability for us. Over time, the process improved how we communicate outcomes and sharpened how we develop our SEO campaigns and present our thinking.
For SIXGUN, the ROI from winning and appearing on shortlists at the APAC Search Awards over several years hasn’t come in the form of one-off wins. Rather, it’s come through stronger inbound leads, reduced time spent proving credibility, and faster alignment in early conversations.
In the words of managing director David Pagotto: Being an APAC Search Awards winner has definitely helped in our ability to attract and close new business. It’s rarely the deciding factor for prospects, but it adds genuine credibility that is seriously lacking in our industry. Participating in the APAC Search Awards has been well worth the investment.
A meaningful influence on talent attraction and team culture
Recognition also shapes who chooses to work with us. Awards signal that the agency values thoughtful, high-quality work and that the outcomes we achieve stand up to scrutiny. Internally, award recognition reinforces pride in our craft and the belief that the work we produce creates real impact for the organisations we partner with.
Nathan Davies, a senior digital strategist at SIXGUN, puts it like this: Weighing up agencies to join, I’ve worked with enough over the years to know the difference between a ‘proper’ agency and the ones just existing on hype. Seeing SIXGUN winning APAC Search Awards and getting that industry recognition was a real signal that they weren’t one of the latter – it showed me they were transparent about their work and had the credibility to match. That mattered a lot in my decision.
Why the APAC Search Awards matter
The APAC Search Awards offer a forum for celebrating what great search work looks like, elevating standards across the region, and giving agencies the space to demonstrate how rigorous strategy translates into measurable outcomes. For SIXGUN, they have prompted deeper reflection, improved communication of results, and continued refinement of our processes.
Looking ahead
Awards don’t replace the work itself, but they spotlight what can be achieved when technical execution, creativity, and strategic clarity meet. The APAC Search Awards have played a very meaningful role in shaping our journey so far, and they continue to motivate us to raise the bar. As we work on our expansion into New Zealand, we have no doubt that the Search Awards will continue to be a valuable touchpoint for benchmarking our growth, strengthening our credibility, and staying aligned with the standards that matter across the region.
Author: David Pagatto
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