The Mark Awards Announces Design Category Jury And Sponsor

The awards says that Mediology has been confirmed as the official sponsor for the Design category in the inaugural 2025 Mark Awards season.

"Celebrating design excellence sparks bold thinking and sets the standard for creative impact," says Ana Carrapichano, CEO of Mediology. "The Mark Awards are poised to do just that — elevating design as a key pillar alongside strategy and innovation while setting a strong standard for collaboration and industry impact."

"As a media-led creative agency, Mediology believes that integrating media expertise with the creative process is vital," Carrapichano adds. "Sponsoring the Design category reflects our commitment to understanding and championing the design behind campaigns, embodying our philosophy: 'Where Logic Meets Magic™.'"

The Mark Awards says the Design category jury comprises industry pioneers in branding, visual storytelling, digital excellence, communication strategy and media. The jury will be co-led by Sibu Mabena, Chief Creative Officer at Duma Collective, and UK-based Katrina Howell, Creative Director for Samsung.

According to the awards, joining them on the judging panel are: 

• Kenta Namba (CEO / ECD, Studio Details, Japan)
• Veli Ngubane (Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Avatar Agency Group)
• Wayne Naidoo (Group CEO, Duke)
• Mike Sharman (Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Retroviral)
• Lydia Oberholzer (Partner, Kilmer & Cruise)
• Sylvester Chauke (Founder and Chief Architect, DNA Brand Architects)
• Ana Carrapichano (CEO, Mediology) and
• Tumi Mkhuseli Sethebe (Chief Creative Officer, Hoorah Group).

"Outstanding design is rooted in clarity, originality, relevance and emotional impact," says Carrapichano. "Pushing boundaries means reimagining how these elements come together to tell a story, evoke a response and differentiate a brand in a crowded landscape."

This category honours designs that go beyond aesthetics to forge strong audience connections and evoke meaningful responses. It celebrates work that is intentional, purposeful, strategic, innovative and crafted with exceptional quality, says the awards. 

The Mark Awards says subcategories include film, audio, digital-, mobile- and ecommerce marketing, copywriting, OOH, visual art and culture. 

The awards concludes that entries are open until Wednesday, 30 April, with winners revealed at the awards ceremony in Franschhoek on Saturday, 30 August. For submission guidelines and criteria, click here.

For more information, visit www.themarkawards.com. You can also follow MarkLives on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on X. 

*Image courtesy of contributor