Since their inception in 1990, the Financial Mail AdFocus Awards have established themselves as the leading platform for individuals and agencies to be recognised - not only for their creative marketing skills - but for their overall business acumen. The Awards have grown to become a landmark on the South African marketing and communications landscape, where business effectiveness is the primary measurement tool.
Financial Mail AdFocus jury chairperson Tumi Rabanye says: “This year’s winners are testament to the hard work and dedication that the marketing and communications industry continues to display towards clients and brands, at a time when businesses need people with dynamic, can-do attitudes amidst what has been a challenging period for everyone. The innovation that has been displayed by agencies and marketers, and the collaborations they have forged, show us how resilient and determined the industry is – an industry of game-changers.”
All the winners
This year’s Financial Mail AdFocus Awards winners are:
- Small Advertising Agency of the Year: SPECIAL MENTION – Avatar Durban
- Medium Advertising Agency of the Year: Grey
- Large Advertising Agency of the Year: Joe Public United Johannesburg
- Public Relations Agency of the Year: Razor Communications
- Specialist Agency of the Year: Triple Eight
- Digital Agency of the Year: Rogerwilco
- Media Agency of the Year: Mediology
- Partnership of the Year (sponsored by IAS and Scopen): Joe Public United Johannesburg / Chicken Licken
- African Impact Award: Dentsu International
- Transformation Award: Joe Public United
- Adaptability Award: Levergy
- Student of the Year: Winner – Niamh Aremband; Finalists: Janine Louw and Zahra Khan
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Thebe Ikalafeng
- Industry Leader of the Year: Khensani Nobanda
- Shapeshifter: Tshepo Tumahole
- Overall Agency of the Year: Joe Public United Johannesburg
The winner of the Best Tactical Print Ad title - as part of the annual Financial Mail Creative Challenge - was won by the Abnormal Group for their client, PinkDrive’s Breast Cancer awareness ad.