The Association of Artist Managers (AAM) today hosted its annual awards in an afternoon ceremony held in Sydney/Gadigal land.
The awards celebrate the achievements of Australia’s artist management community across the past year, and with winners representing artists including Amyl And The Sniffers, Kasey Chambers, INKABEE, Ngaiire, SPEED, Miss Kaninna, and others, the country’s music scene is in good, capable hands.
Winning this year’s coveted Manager of the Year award – presented by White Sky – is Simone Ubaldi and Andrew Parisi of Sundowner Music. They have an impressive roster of Australian artists, which includes Amyl And The Sniffers, Grace Cummings, The Gnomes, and Girl And Girl. Plus, the pair are Consultant Managers of Nice Biscuit and Baby Cool.
Meanwhile, the Breakthrough Manager of the Year award, presented by DMT Law Firm, was given to Christopher Kevin Au of 24 Karat Enterprises. Au represents artists like POSSESHOT and is the co-manager of SPEED, Shady Nasty, and FUKHED.
Ali Tomanoa of Soul Has No Tempo was named Emerging Manager of the Year, presented by PPCA. Tomanoa represents Miss Kaninna, who’s taken her energetic brand of hip-hop all over Australia and even supported the likes of Kneecap overseas.
Tani Webb of First Nations Focus (FNFocus) won the Community Engagement Award from The Orchard. Webb’s roster includes FLEWNT, INKABEE, and Taija.
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Taking home the prestigious Patron’s Gift Award – presented by the AAM Patrons – was Ben Pierpoint of Ben Pierpoint Management, who represents Dino Dimitriadis, DOBBY, GODTET, Milan Ring, Rose Riebl, and Wallace. Pierpoint is also the co-manager of Ngaiire and Jamaica Moana.
Lastly, in an already-announced win, Melita Hodge of Six Boroughs Management was presented with the Legacy Award, courtesy of Frontier Touring. Having worked with the likes of Kasey Chambers, Andy Golledge, Denvah, and co-manager of Ball Park Music and Ruby Jackson, Hodge is undoubtedly one of the most successful artist managers in the country.
Here’s what some artists had to say about their managers winning prestigious awards today:
Amy Taylor (Amyl And The Sniffers) about Simone Ubaldi & Andrew Parisi:
Simone and Andrew have been with us since the beginning. Being a manager appears to be a relatively thankless job, and I can say from the bottom of our hearts that they deserve their acknowledgement tonight.
They've been gruelling alongside us and in front of us for about eight years and jumped on board long before it was fruitful for them in any way, other than that they liked our music and had the skills to support us (as they do with many artists they work with who haven't got the financial means).
All their artists are lucky to work with them. Before music managers, they are music fans who believe in the life that live music and recorded music give to the sometimes dark world. Their protectiveness in the belief that artist should not be exploited is at the forefront of their decisions, and that’s something we're really grateful to be shielded from.
They've helped each of the Sniffers through areas they didn't need to, which is a testament to their generosity. Not only are they music managers, they also run a live music venue and contribute to community radio, and love going to watch live music.
They're not persuaded by dodgy deals, and they're fiercely protective, as anyone who's come in their crossfire, I'm sure, is aware of. Their job isn't easy, but they’ve not only managed us as a band, they’ve also managed to not blow their brains out dealing with our shit for 8 odd years.
Grace Cummings about Simone Ubaldi & Andrew Parisi:
It fills me with joy to celebrate Simone and Andrew as the recipients of the 2026 Managers of the Year Award.
These two have worked tirelessly with me for six years, never questioning their belief in me, and supporting me through countless highs and lows when others certainly would have given up.
They do this because they truly love music—they believe in what moves us, brings us together, and makes the world a better place. That’s it. Their passion never fades; they celebrate and champion the people they believe in, even when they don’t get anything in return.
I am honoured to have been welcomed into their lives. Not just by their faith and support, but by everything it stands for. I am forever grateful for their generosity, determination, and most of all, their friendship.
SPEED about Christopher Kevin Au:
When the vision, philosophy and soul of a band is so deeply threaded into all of its being, finding a manager who can share this spirit is almost impossible.
That’s why it’s such a privilege to have found that someone in our very circle. So much of the “success” of SPEED is directly attributed to the dedication and belief that Kev has poured into us. Above all, he is our brother, friend, mentor, advocate, visionary, housekeeper, ambassador and more.
Sharing our journey with Kev is a true gift in life, and we are so fuckin proud to see his character and talent recognised in this way.
Miss Kaninna about Ali Tomanoa:
People always ask me what the sauce is for being successful… I tell them… unless you have an Alieta Tomoana, you ain't gonna complete the recipe.
Alieta is unlike anyone else in the music industry period… and I think it’s for a couple reasons.
1: She’s Maori and proud. She is living proof of her people's resilience, not to mention she is a Tomoana…
2: She’s a woman, a Leo woman at that… she is never intimidated by the men in the field, and in fact she runs rings about them all.
3: She is a mother. Her family is central to everything she does. People say the music industry is not for children, which in some situations is true, but having children around us and backstage brings meaning to the music, for we are always reminded that everything we do is for the children and the world we leave behind for them.
Alieta's contribution and presence in the music industry is truly a genuine gift. She understands that if there is no seat for you at the table, you make your own table.
INKABEE about Tani Webb:
This journey with Aunty Tani has been so special to me; she’s not just someone handling the business, she is my Aunty, and that’s exactly how she’s looked after me.
She’s done so much to help me level up and get my music out there, but she always made sure I stayed true to myself. I never had to change who I am as a Blakfella to get ahead, because she always protected my integrity. I’m just so grateful for everything she’s done to help me become the person I am today. I'm so proud of her for winning this award; she really deserves it.
Ngaiire about Ben Pierpoint:
I knew Ben was made to do this, from the moment I found myself drunk and climbing trees in Newtown after dark with him, and over a decade ago. He was a friend first, one that I'd won in a break-up, and then he became my assistant of sorts, though his title was really the 'Get shit done, guy'.
I was looking for a manager at the time, and as my search wasn't coming up roses, Ben was moved into the very temporary role of stand-in manager until I found my 'real' manager. This pivoted him away from a lot of the theatre stuff he was doing at the time, as I had literally thrown him into the deep end as someone who had never managed an artist before.
After a 10-year trial, I still haven't found my 'real' manager. But that's only because there is absolutely no one like Ben, and I not only trust him with my career but with my life. He has bolstered me through some really prickly situations, he is Godfather to my son, knows how to steam a fish real good, is a wizard when finding spaces for boundaryless artists like myself, and has perfected the art of a diplomatic email that requires a side of 'f*ck you’ shrouded in professional jargon.
Ben truly loves music, but he also genuinely loves the artists that he represents. I'm so proud of how much he's taken this role by the balls and what he's built from just helping a friend a decade ago.
They say the devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder - I'm convinced Ben works harder than both of them combined.
Kasey Chambers about Melita Hodge:
Level-headed yet boldly creative...
Intelligent yet peacefully grounded…
Tenacious yet gracefully accepting...
Strong yet compassionate and kind…
Melita is the most inspiring person I’ve ever worked with in the music industry. I would not be the artist or the woman that I am today without her guidance, support and wisdom.
