January judges (Back L-R) Charles Foley, Kabelo Moshapalo, Vanessa Moodley, Paul de Klerk, Jonathan Bain, Rob Mclennan, Tlamelo, Portia Mamosebo, Laura Maggs - Front (L-R) Aisha O'Reilly, Brinke van Zyl, Annette de Klerk.

Winners were announced after a full day’s judging hosted by jury president and executive creative director of King James II, Rob Mclennan, at their new offices in Parktown, Johannesburg. In addition to Mclennan, the judging panel included 12 representatives from Creative Circle member agencies:

• Jonathan Bain, executive creative director, Bain & Bunkell
• Annette de Klerk, senior copywriter, Net#work BBDO
• Charles Foley, creative director, Halo
• Paul de Klerk, chief creative officer, Etiket
• Tlamelo Letebele, senior art director, Y&R Johannesburg
• Laura Maggs, copywriter, Fairly Famous
• Portia Mamosebo, copywriter, M&C Saatchi Abel JHB
• Vanessa Moodley, group head: social, The Niche Guys
• Kabelo Moshapalo, executive creative director, TBWA\ Hunt Lascaris
• Aisha O’Reilly, art director, Cheil
• Nicole Solarsh, senior copywriter, House of Brave
• Brinke van Zyl, associate creative director, Duke

Renewed focus on talent development

Creative Circle has a renewed focus on talent development within the South African advertising industry. Mclennan says that although in the past the judging panel comprised senior creatives, the Creative Circle has started to include younger colleagues in the judging process.

He says, “It’s vital for young creatives to be in the room which is why Creative Circle judging is the perfect training ground to provide young creative talent the opportunity to assess what makes for outstanding work.”

Entries are judged on innovation, quality and relevance to the brand, target audience and chosen media. The categories judged were Outdoor and Out of Home; Print; Radio; Television, Video & Cinema; Digital; Experiential; and Integrated Campaign.

The Creative Circle represents advertising agencies, and only Creative Circle members are eligible to enter the awards. All the winners are listed in the table below, and work can be viewed online here.

All monthly winners are shortlisted for the annual awards which will take place in March 2018. Entries for work flighted from January to February 2018 will open on 5 March 2018 and close on 12 March 2018. Entries will be judged on 5 April 2018.

September 2017

Dala What You Must from Anthony Bila on Vimeo.

October 2017

November 2017

December 2017

Combined September – December 2017