Johannesburg, South Africa – The IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards has unveiled the chairs and members of its nine jury panels for 2024, showcasing a diverse range of industry experts. This year’s new addition, the Marketing Craft panel, joins the existing panels that make up the Bookmarks, including Publishers, Innovative Engineers, Builders, Marketers, Performance Marketing, Social, Community & Influencer Marketing, Youth Action, and Special Honours.
The inclusion of the Marketing Craft panel reflects the Awards’ dedication to setting new standards in digital media, marketing, and technology, by recognizing impactful digital work within the industry. Khensani Nobanda, IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards jury president, expressed excitement about the expansion: “With the exciting addition of a ninth panel, we are expanding our reach and fostering even more innovation.”
The Bookmark Awards play a vital role in the industry, propelling it forward by acknowledging excellence, encouraging innovation, and maintaining high standards in digital creativity. Winning a Bookmark Award not only boosts credibility and prestige but also attracts new talent, partnerships, and clients, according to Robyn Campbell, IAB South Africa Agency Council lead.
The heart of the Bookmarks lies within its jury panels. The panel members, nominated by their peers, bring diverse expertise from the digital media, marketing, and technology sectors. Nobanda explains that this diversity ensures a jury that reflects the industry and the country, with 51% female and 67% people of color representation.
The nine Bookmarks jury panels are each led by a jury chair, who will evaluate entries across eight award categories aligned with IAB South Africa’s mission to empower the media and marketing industry in the digital economy. These categories include building brands digitally, user-centered approaches, consistent measurement practices, industry transformation, and providing reliable digital supply chains.
The 2024 Bookmark Awards jury panels consist of renowned professionals in their respective fields. The Marketers panel, chaired by Nkanyezi Masango, chief creative officer at Dentsu Creative SSA, will assess entries that merge timeless insights with new platforms and technology. Other panels such as Marketing Craft, Performance Marketing, Publishers, Social, Community & Influencer Marketing, Youth Action, Builders, and Innovative Engineers showcase a wide range of expertise and perspectives.
The IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards continue to drive the industry forward and celebrate excellence in digital media, marketing, and technology. By recognizing and rewarding impactful work, the Awards inspire innovation and set new benchmarks for the South African digital landscape.