Extended entry deadline announced for inaugural Marketing Achievement AwardsThe entry deadline for the inaugural Marketing Achievement Awards, which celebrate excellence in the science and art of marketing, has been extended to from 22 February to 28 February 2019. “We have been inundated with requests for an extension from various busy marketers – we recognise that sometimes, we just need to be flexible, and so we were happy to grant this extension,” says Anne Kirkpatrick, Director of the Marketing Achievement Awards. Industry awards play an important role in celebrating excellence and upholding high standards for agencies in the advertising and marketing fraternity. There has, however, been a gap in South Africa in terms of dedicated awards for marketers and brand owners – until now. The awards recognise and reward innovative marketers whose work demonstrates excellence in marketing strategy, creating and delivering value that satisfies the needs of their customers driving brand sustainability, while simultaneously raising the profile of marketing in South Africa. It’s time that marketers are recognised for the important role they play in leading organisations and not merely for the role marketing plays in communications. With this in mind and in the spirit of future-proofing marketing – by creating a benchmark to maintain high standards in the industry – a council of esteemed marketing professionals collaborated to launch the Marketing Achievement Awards this year. “The Marketing Achievement Awards are about encouraging innovation and creativity within the strategic environment of marketing,” says Yvonne Johnston, owner of Fast Forward Coaching and chair of the Marketing Achievement Awards council. The Marketing Achievement Awards are being held from 2 to 4 April 2019 at Sun City. There will be an industry golf day, a networking welcome cocktail event, hosted by Nando’s on 2 April and a business forum and summit on 3 April, with the awards ceremony and gala dinner being held in the Superbowl on the evening of the 3rd. “For the first time our industry is looking at marketing capability as a framework – basically all the skills and competencies required to be a world-class marketer,” says Alistair Mokoena, CEO of Ogilvy South Africa and Marketing Achievement Awards council member. The categoriesThe awards are open to all brands, irrespective of size and budget, in the following categories:
“We would like to encourage as many brands and the marketers behind their successes to enter – it is time to shine and showcase the amazing work that you do,” says Kirkpatrick. “In particular, I am looking forward to seeing entries come through in the Brand Positioning and Internal Marketing categories. But go through each category to find which suits your brand and campaign best.” Geoff Whyte, chief executive officer - Nando's Africa, Middle East, India Says Geoff Whyte, Nando’s CEO and member of the awards council: “These awards focus on the insight and marketing thought that leads to the great campaigns that everyone sees.” Endorsed by the Marketing Association of South Africa (Masa) the Marketing Achievement Awards are the new benchmark for marketing excellence in South Africa. “At last we have awards by marketers, for marketers, celebrating marketers, assessed by marketers, and it’s about time,” says Heidi Brauer, CMO of Hollard Insurance and an awards council member. The judgesThe awards council members, who will be judging the entries, are all seasoned marketers and successful business people who aim to raise the bar for marketers through the Marketing Achievement Awards. The judges are:
How to enterEntries are easy to prepare and for most categories should be 1,000 words or less. Submissions should be concise and demonstrate how customer needs have been identified and used to focus, align and empower organisations and meet business objectives. The judges are looking for a clear understanding of strategic intent. Additional collateral to back this up is also required. Entries are strictly confidential. Marketers can enter more than one category. Click here to enter. |