House of Kitch & Ocius Win Top Communications Award, Spotlighting Australian Industry
Strategic communications and marketing agency House of Kitch and Australian maritime technology company Ocius have won Corporate and Business Campaign of the Year at the 2026 Golden Target Awards. The award recognised their ongoing communications program that repositioned Ocius from an R&D-led innovator to a globally recognised, operationally proven maritime technology company.
It’s the first time a defence tech company has been recognised in the awards’ 50-year history.
Developed at a pivotal point in Ocius’ growth, the campaign translates a complex story spanning autonomous systems, advanced maritime robotics, AI and defence capability into a clear and compelling global proposition, while preserving the company’s distinctive Australian character and culture.
The program included a strategic repositioning, brand refresh, new website and broader communications ecosystem designed to transform Ocius’ into a proven, trusted and sophisticated maritime autonomy company.
Results include 294 media stories and an estimated audience reach of 3.25 million across Australia, US and other global markets in six months. Website visitation increased by 83% and time on site rose by 267%, building momentum across reputation, recruitment, investment and international growth.
Ocius Chief Growth Officer, Rob Brezniak, said communications is a key part of supporting the company’s growth: “For us to be successful, we needed to translate our innovation and market leadership into a clear and engaging story while maintaining Ocius’ unique heart and soul.
“House of Kitch has helped us to be recognised as an operationally proven organisation with world-class capability, building the recognition and credibility we need as we scale globally.
“It’s a true partnership. They understand our business, our people and where we’re we are going.”
House of Kitch Founder & Managing Director, Samara Kitchener, said Ocius reflected the growing strength of Australia’s defence industry.
“Australia has quietly been building world-leading autonomous defence capability that’s increasingly being recognised on the global stage. But complex technology needs a compelling narrative to cut-through.
“When Ocius engaged us, it had an extraordinary sovereign capability and an ambitious growth agenda. Our role was to help government, industry, global markets, prospective employees, and the Australian public understand not just what Ocius had built, but why it mattered.
“Ocius’ success is about far more than the technology itself. Its people, leadership, ability to adapt and strong relationships across defence and industry have all been critical to its growth.
“Our job has been to protect what makes Ocius distinctive while building the reputation, profile and communications platform needed to support its next stage of growth in Australia and internationally.”
Ocius has secured a $176 million Program of Record with the Royal Australian Navy for 40 additional Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels and is continuing to expand internationally.
The Golden Target Awards are Australia’s longest-running public relations and communications awards, recognising excellence across the industry.
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