This category honours exceptional strategic expertise in transforming brands, reshaping businesses and influencing culture. It celebrates entries that set new industry benchmarks while demonstrating innovative solutions to business challenges, says the awards. 

Wonder has been confirmed as the Strategy category sponsor for the 2025 awards season.

"Strategy is the foundation of impactful marketing, bridging the gap between brand objectives and consumer needs while driving all creative work," says Muzi Mthombeni, Chief Strategy Officer at Wonder. "The most effective campaigns are those where strategy and creativity are inseparable, with strategic intent breathing life into every idea. Strategy transforms campaigns into levers for sustainable growth and redefines ROI — not just as financial gain but as a measure of enduring impact, relevance and resonance."

The Strategy jury combines international expertise with local insight. The Mark Awards says the jury will be led by joint Jury Presidents Tumi Rabanye, Head of Strategy at Leagas Delaney South Africa, and Tony Effik, New York-based MD: Global Display, Video and Creative at Google. 

Additional jury members include:

• Gugu Shabalala (Head of Strategy, Demographica)
• Jessica Wheeler (Marketing Director, Nando's South Africa)
• Graham Deneys (Chief Strategy Officer, Dentsu Media Brands South Africa)
• Parusha Partab (Chief Strategy Officer, VML South Africa)
• Neo Makhele (Chief Strategy Officer, Ogilvy South Africa), and
• Gareth McPherson (Founder and CEO, Wonder).

"The Mark Awards emphasise the vital role of strategy in the creative process, inspiring boundary-pushing work with lasting impact," adds Mthombeni. "Celebrating strategic excellence motivates the marketing community to aim higher and reminds us that great work starts with sharp, insightful strategy. Sponsoring this category reflects our commitment to championing strategic thinking as the cornerstone of exceptional ideas and highlights our dedication to collaboration, curiosity and excellence."

The Mark Awards concludes that entry submissions open on Saturday, 1 March. 

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

*Image courtesy of contributor