Image supplied. Promise agency has been named the IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards, in partnership with Accenture Song, best digital agency

The Awards took place at Vodacom Dome, Vodaworld and saw Promise's Forgotten Graduate campaign for PPS win a Pixel for Purpose, three gold awards in the craft category, and gold in the campaign category.

Ogilvy SA also won a Pixel for Purpose. News24 was named Best Publisher. Bernice Puleng Mosala from Joe Public was named Best Digital Youngster and IIE Vega won Best Student (Black Pixel) - for the seventh consecutive year.

Other big winners were Accenture Song, Make Reign and Dentsu Creative.

The winners

Winners of the 15th annual IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards were announced in the following categories:

Special Honours

Platforms

Communities

Channels

Emerging Digital Technologies & Channels

Publishing

Campaign

Craft

Representing a changing industry

CEO of IAB South Africa Razia Pillay said the transformation of the Bookmarks was representative of a changing industry that highlighted learning and engagement between established leaders and incoming young talent.

The entries also highlight the tenacity of South Africans she says. “While the industry is producing work under difficult conditions, such as load shedding, it is winning awards locally and internationally."

In her welcome, Khensani Nobanda, 2023 IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards jury president and group executive for marketing and corporate affairs at Nedbank says the Bookmark entries show that South Africa and Africa are creating at their best and that excites her.

“This year we also see a spread of winners, with no category dominating. This is important as it means that digital channels are becoming part of everyday life.”

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Lifting the standard

She also referred to the newly launched Finalists’ Showcase that took place the day before the awards. “The Finalists’ Showcase is important because as the industry works towards change, those working within it need to see and experience the works of their peers.

“The awards are important, however, showcasing the thinking behind the creativity, the actions, and the business results that helps uplift the level of learning and standards that we hold ourselves accountable to in the digital media and marketing industry,” says Nobanda.