PRISM Awards announces judging panel

"Our panel comprises a diverse mix of experts and industry leaders from across the communication spectrum, including academia, corporates, consultancies and the media," says chief PRISM judge Marilyn Watson.

Judges

• Alistair Mokoena - MD: DraftFCB
• Amanda Hamilton-Attwell - Business DNA
• Anton van Rensburg - senior account manager: OnChannel
• Bridget von Holdt - director: Glasshouse Communication Management
• Candy Guvi - investment collateral writer: Absa Wealth and Investment Management
• Catherine Constantinides - executive director: Lead SA
• Charlene Lamb - country communications manager: Lafarge
• Cherylann Smith - director: WeCollaborate
• Corné Meintjes - lecturer: Durban University of Technology's department of marketing and retail management
• Cynthia Mabela - communication manager: Tongaat
• Daniel Munslow - director: Talk2Us
• Dave Macleod - owner: Game Plan Media
• Dot Field - owner: Dot Field Communications
• Heather Robinson - director and owner: THJ Consulting
• Ingrid Lotze - director: Puruma
• Joanna Oosthuizen - MD: Ogilvy Public Relations
• Johanna McDowell - owner: Independent Agency Selection
• Kevin Welman - MD and partner: Fleishman-Hillard
• Leigh Gunkel-Keuler - public affairs, policy & communications director - Pfizer SA's Biopharmaceutical Division, South Africa
• Lucy Balona - executive manager: marketing and communication: Cancer Association of South Africa - Head Office
• Lucy Pedlar - internal communication manager: Woolworths
• Marilyn Watson - partner: Cinnamon Communication
• Natalie Pringle - life coach
• Nicola Chaning-Pearce - director: Tynago Communications
• Patrick Singh - head: alternate distribution & digital: Old Mutual
• Peter van der Schyff - owner: Pringle-Scott Communications
• Rene Vosloo - head of corporate marketing and Reputation Management: Discovery Health
• Ruben Platt - corporate affairs manager: Sasol
• Saul Kropman - director: GS Industries
• Shenanda Janse van Rensburg - group executive: marketing, communications and Public Relations: Altech
• Tasneem Carrim - chief director: policy & research: Government Communication and Information System
• Vicki St Quintin - group corporate affairs and investor relations manager: Adcock Ingram Healthcare
• Wadim Schreiner - director: Social Licence

New Campaign of the Year judges

• Ashraf Garda - media host and radio & TV presenter
  
• Jeremy Maggs - TV news anchor and publisher
  
• Palesa Madumo - communication manager: Business Connexion
  
• Sylvester Chauke - chief architect: DNA Brand Architects
  
• Wendy Tlou - director: strategic marketing and communication: Brand South Africa

This year's entries have been divided into eight clusters. "Judges look at five key areas: research, objectives, planning, execution and measurement," explains Watson. "But over and above this, the panel are looking for the 'wow factor' - that extra bit of magic that sets an entry apart from the rest."