Ethical, transparent and respected, the awards are judged by esteemed industry experts who follow a robust two-step judging process that includes pre-scoring to establish a shortlist and judge discussion to determine winners and, in some cases, silver awards.
None of our award judges can take part in the competition, and any conflicts of interest must be declared.
The US Agency Awards have been accredited ‘Outstanding’ by the Independent Awards Standards Council – Awards Trust Mark.
To apply to become a judge, fill out the form at the bottom of this page.
Jim Hedger | Creative Partner | Digital Alwayys Media
Jim Hedger is a long-time SEO living in Toronto, Canada. Jim was among the original generations of SEOs. He started working with websites in 1999 and joined one of the first SEO agencies, StepForth, in 2000. He became known as one of the earliest regular columnists writing for Search Engine Watch, Search Engine Journal, and SiteProNews and on several early SEO forums. He is also known for his now 18 year old SEO podcast Webcology, and was one of the leading characters at the legendary WebmasterRadio.
Melinda Stuart | Enterprise Go-to-Market, Data Analytics and Experience | Optus
Melinda is an accomplished marketer with extensive experience in both agency and client-side roles. Over the past decade, she has transitioned to the client side, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. As an advisor to numerous startups, particularly within the technology space, playing a pivotal role in guiding their growth and success. With a strong track record in global and APAC markets, she has successfully shaped go-to-market strategies across various new territories and verticals. Melinda is passionate about collaborating with driven entrepreneurs, helping them bring their visions to life.
Stephen Kenwright | Non-executive director and consultant | Stephen Kenwright Ltd
Stephen founded SEARCH-FIRST creative agency Rise at Seven in 2019, growing it to employ 110 people across 4 offices and reaching revenues of more than £7m, before exiting in 2022. He previously held senior roles at digital transformation consultancy Kin + Carta PLC and the UK's largest automotive retailer Pendragon PLC. He founded SearchLeeds, a conference that hosted more than 2,000 marketers at the first direct arena in its most recent iteration.
Olesia Korobka | SEO entrepreneur | Fajela
Olesia Korobka is SEO entrepreneur from Ukraine. She runs a few businesses most related to SEO and a small localization service. When not doing SEO, Olesia usually studies hows and whys of SEO, testing and researching. And now also helping other SEOs from Ukraine to adapt during the ongoing war.
Steve Kuncewicz | Partner and Head Of Creative, Digital & Marketing | Glaisyers ETL
Steve is a Partner and Head of Creative, Digital and Marketing at Glaisyers ETL in Manchester. He specialises in intellectual property, media social media and privacy law and is listed as a "recommended lawyer" in the Legal 500, and was a oo-founder pf the Bulletproof Agency Network. He is a regular media spokesperson, and has given interviews to the local and national press through BBC Breakfast, Sky News, ITV, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live and LBC London. Steve is also the Manchester Publicity Association’s Honorary Solicitor.
Jaime Hill | Ecommerce Director | ex Oak Furnitureland, Hurtigruten & Monsoon Accessorize
Jaime has over two decades of experience as a Marketing & Ecommerce professional with a successful track record leading teams and developing strategy to transform organisations’ digital capability and channels to market. She has had success in roles at brands including Avis, Barclays, Dairy Crest and Oak Furnitureland, and across a wide range of B2B and B2C vertical markets. Most recently, Jaime was Interim Head of Ecommerce & Trading at Monsoon. A graduate of the Institute of Digital Marketing and qualified Executive Business Coach, Jaime's professional passion is for making life easier for the customer at every touch point.
Alex Natthaphon Kanjarnavoranun | Foundmatic UK | Consultant in SEO, Digital marketing, and Digital transformation
Alex Natthaphon is a highly experienced SEO expert, digital marketing specialist, and management role in marketing. TechNation UK has endorsed him as the highest-tier Exceptional Leader of UK Global Talent Visa in the Digital Technology category. He has achieved multiple successful career paths in different industries, including Finance, E-commerce, Travel, Education, Automotive, and more. Alex was VP of Digital Campaign Planning & Execution Manager at SCB bank, focusing on digital banking automation and transformation. He is a founder of ABACTODAY, an ed-tech and e-learning platform for students. He was head of SEO and digital marketing at multiple Unicorn startups in Southeast Asia. He has led and provided digital marketing consultants internationally; for instance in Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, US, and UK. Not only online marketing, but he was also AVP Head of Omni-channel Marketing which focused on digital transformation at one of the biggest department stores in Thailand and UK.
Valentina Frascino | Global Consumer Engagement & Brand Strategy Manager | Sol de Janeiro
Born and raised in São Paulo and currently based in New York City, Valentina has cultivated her marketing and branding expertise across a diverse range of sectors. She began her career at the world’s third-largest television network, later transitioning to agency roles where she led initiatives for multinational clients. Now working on the client side, Valentina operates within the highly competitive beauty industry, where she manages go-to-market strategies and develops innovative approaches to engage and inspire consumers through impactful campaigns and supporting live experiences.
Sharon Peredo Sahid | Digital Marketing Consultant |
A marketer, strategist, and SEO enthusiast with expertise in website optimization. Sharon has worked across diverse markets and niches, enhancing customer experiences, acquisition funnels, and conversion rates. Passionate about helping brands elevate their visibility, positioning, and USPs across search engines and LLMs, she’s also deeply curious about AI-driven strategies and experimentation frameworks.
Sunny Bal | Digital Marketing and Social Media | ARUP
Sunny Bal is a dynamic Digital Marketing and Social Media Strategist with a knack for driving global campaigns that captivate audiences and boost brand visibility. With rich experience from roles at Arup and HDR, Sunny excels in crafting innovative content strategies and leading high-performing teams to success. A proud alumnus of California State University, Fresno, Sunny holds a BSc in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing. Known for blending creativity with data-driven insights, Sunny's work has garnered significant recognition in the industry. When not strategizing the next big campaign, Sunny enjoys mentoring children through Solidarity Sports, sharing both patience and positivity.
With an unusual path, my career in digital marketing began in 2018, 2 years after completing my Degree in Philosophy. After a course in digital marketing with an internship, I ended up working at the agency where I interned. With 5 years of experience and dozens of clients, I worked as a PPC manager and content manager. 3 years on I decided to focus exclusively on paid campaigns. Throughout this time I developed experience in lead gen in the B2B market and later in brand development, traffic increase, and purchase generation in the B2C market. I am currently responsible for the PPC department at MintySquare, where I develop marketing strategies for several fashion brands and campaigns that aim to increase brand awareness and generate purchases.
Rejoice Ojiaku | SEO Manager | Nelson Bostock UNLIMITED
Rejoice Ojiaku is an SEO Specialist & Content Strategist, as well as the Co-Founder of B-DigitalUK – a platform for showcasing and empowering black talent in the UK digital marketing scene. Her expertise lies in SEO, Diversity and inclusion, all bolstered by strong personal branding both online and offline.
Lucasz Rogala | SEO/SXO Visioner & Strategist |
During his 13-year adventure in the SEO industry, he learned all the "shades" of activities carried out for clients. Knowledge of how to work in-house and in an agency allows him to provide high-quality and non-standard tactics for clients. Currently, he is developing his boutique SEO and Content agency, VerticalSEO, and is responsible for technical SEO for Warner Bros. Discovery in Poland. In the past, he planned and implemented SEO activities for the largest brands in Poland, and also supported them in their activities abroad. He prefers content SEO for breakfast, technical SEO for lunch, and linkbuilding for dinner. This allows him to maintain a good work-life fit. ;)
Alex Alexakis | Founder | PixelChefs.com |
Alex is the Founder of PixelChefs.com, an award-winning SEO-focused web design firm in business since 2009. He specializes in the latest digital design infused with SEO strategy, Alex and his team work with companies such as CabinetSelect.com, Westgate Resorts, DrinkAGame.com, and many others across the globe. In the past, Alex worked in user interface design (UI) and served as Digital Marketing Manager for one of the world’s largest hospitality companies. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ringling College and is a frequent speaker at search conferences and contributor to digital marketing publications. Until recently, Alex participated in and was the Founder of the largest SEO Meetup group in Florida. When Alex is not working, he is either chasing his kids around, thinking about work, or both. Find Alex on Twitter @Pixelchefs.
Michele Tommasi | Senior Paid Media Manager |
I am a Senior Paid Media Manager at Tempcover with nearly a decade of experience in paid and performance marketing. My journey has been marked by a relentless commitment to add value and provide the most profitable outcome for all. I have collaborated with a wealth of prominent national and global brands across a range of sectors. From SaaS, insurance and automotive to construction, travel and e-commerce, I've thrived in both B2C and B2B industries and have an extensive cross-sector knowledge, winning awards such as “Local Campaign Of The Year”, “Best Local Campaign (PPC)” and “YouTube Ads Leaderboard”. At heart, I am passionate about inspiring, leading and helping people to achieve their personal and professional goals, whatever they might be.
Richard Gregory | Co-founder | AgencyNXD
Richard is co-founder of AgencyNXD as well as an advisor and NXD to multiple tech firms and agencies, including Adzooma, Fluid Digitial and Ruler Analytics. Heralding from “Silicon Ramsbottom” he is an ardent supporter of the digital and tech industry in the North of England. Previously, Richard was the managing director of digital agency Latitude, director of Tech North and co-founder of SAScon.
Lisa Williams -Scott | Associate Director of Digital Engagement | Oregon Health & Science University
Lisa Williams is a 25-year veteran of digital marketing and the author of "When Everybody Clicks: Sustainable Digital Marketing". She has been featured in Kiplinger Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Boston Globe and The Oregonian. Lisa is on the SEMpdx (Search Engine Marketing Professionals of Portland Oregon) Advisory Board. She founded and leads a Portland Oregon LeanIn Circle and volunteers at Emerging Leaders to mentor diverse, aspiring professionals to serve in technology and health care. She speaks at regional, national and international conferences on the topics of digital strategy, marketing integration, team development and leadership.
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"We wanted our agency to be recognized on the whole, not just for the singular work we have completed for each client. The well-recognized “Don’t Panic” awards, which The US Agency Awards are a part of, fills that gap perfectly." Groove Commerce
"Our team is honored to be on the shortlist for Best PPC Campaign in the US Agency Awards. To be an award finalist for our paid media work with CenturyLink is the icing on the cake." Mad Fish Digital
"SEO Werkz, is proud to be listed among the shortlist of finalists for the US Agency Awards! We’re honored to be recognized by such a prestigious body within the world of creative design and digital marketing." SEO Werkz
"Often the award win warrants a press release, but if not, certainly newsletter, website and email mentions help to elevate the agency profile and it’s great information to include in the agency boilerplate." SSDM
"To Forthea, the US Agency Awards aren't just about trophies we can add to our shelf; they represent a relentless hunger for agency performance by industry leaders who understand what drives tangible business outcomes." Forthea
"We are incredibly grateful to the Don’t Panic Events team for recognizing our efforts to implement AI in small business marketing. This acknowledgement validates our mission to improve efficiency and sustainability for the businesses we serve. We eagerly look forward to participating in future competitions hosted by Don’t Panic Events. These opportunities fuel our passion and inspire us to continue solving our clients’ problems with creativity and determination." YBM
