Equator named ‘Agency of the Year’ at 2025 Vertex Awards!
We’re absolutely over the moon to announce our most successful Vertex Awards to date, with an incredible 24 wins including the coveted ‘Agency of the Year’ title!
But the celebrations don’t stop there! Our wonderful client The Fresh Market was also honoured as ‘Retailer of the Year’ – a brilliant recognition of their expertly curated selection of premium products, which we’ve had the pleasure of bringing to life.
The Vertex Awards hold special significance in our world as the only global competition exclusively dedicated to private brand packaging design. Winning here isn’t just about having pretty packs; it’s about strategic thinking, consumer insights and flawless execution. This year, with 23 individual project awards, it looks like our integrated approach has paid off!
The winning projects
The judging panel awarded five of our projects with gold, including our work for Aldi US’s Barissimo Sweet Italy Flavoured Ground Coffee, where original illustrations conveyed authentic Italian flavours; Co-op’s Bake-at-Home Frozen Pastries featuring iconic product photography with French patisserie-inspired colours; and The Fresh Market’s Chef Inspired Gourmet Popcorn, where delicate illustrations, print effects and substrate conveyed ‘premium’, while photography and colour supported flavour navigation.
Silver went to ten projects, including the redesign of Lowe’s Master Forge brand as it expanded into the outdoor space; Morrisons’ The Best Christmas range, where we captured festive spirit through photography, pattern and authentic typography; and Schnucks’ barbecue sauce range, which used vibrant illustrations to highlight each sauce’s unique flavours and origins.
Our eight bronze winners included Giant Eagle’s Market District Summer Frozen Desserts, using colour and illustration to differentiate limited-edition seasonal items from a core range; Meijer’s First Label Sparkling Water, featuring fun colours and distinctive patterns; Rite Aid’s Refreshery Coconut Water with its energetic palette and modern stylised illustrations; and Sam’s Club Member’s Mark Sangria, featuring a Spanish folk art-inspired label with vibrant floral and fruit motifs and ornate scrollwork.
Our fantastic team
What’s apparent when looking at the winning projects is the strength of our multidisciplinary team, whose talents were integral to creating beautiful, impactful packaging for clients. Whether it’s original illustrations conveying product origins; stunning photography showcasing restaurant quality ingredients; or sophisticated design introducing clarity and cohesion to an entire range, our team stepped up to deliver creative solutions that not only win awards but also win at the shelf where it truly matters.
Reflecting on these wins, Michael Duffy, our SVP & Global Creative Lead at Equator, said: “We are thrilled to have received such remarkable recognition at this year’s Vertex Awards, and particularly delighted to be awarded the title of ‘Agency of the Year’. These achievements are testament to our team’s talent, creativity and dedication.”
This success also wouldn’t have been possible without our forward-thinking clients who consistently bring us aspirational concepts and challenge us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in packaging design. Thanks to each and every one of you for trusting us with your beloved brands. And a heartfelt thank you to the Vertex Awards for taking the time to review and recognise our work. We’re so energised by these results and can’t wait to continue creating designs that make private brands shine!
