Bookmark Awards Reveals 2025 Finalists Representing Diverse Digital Economy Innovators

These selected front-runners represent the full spectrum of the digital economy, from emerging talent and new platforms to legacy brands that are driving forward-thinking ideas, says the Bookmark Awards.

Campaigns Leading the Pack

This year's finalists span a powerful mix of industry heavyweights and digital disruptors, from KFC, Cadbury, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Clicks, City Lodge Hotels, Audi South Africa, Spotify, PepsiCo, Showmax, Sanlam, Volkswagen, Toyota and McDonald's to rising digital startups, niche publishers and purpose-led campaigns, says the awards.

Spotlight on the Categories

The awards span across eight major pillars, highlighting the multifaceted nature of today's digital work:

• Platforms: From brand websites and mobile apps to public service platforms, finalists include Clicks, Audi, Profmed, City Lodge Hotels and more.
• Community: Social innovation and community-building campaigns from LEGO, Chicken Licken, Unilever, Old Khaki and Oreo, among others.
• Channels: Work across paid search, SEO, display, native, influencer marketing and social innovation includes heavy hitters like Payflex, Inverroche, Debonairs Pizza, Mr D and Nivea.
• Publishing: From News24's hard-hitting investigative journalism to Jacaranda FM's podcasting and Primedia's election coverage, this year's publishing entries reflect media's vital role in democracy.
• Campaign: Featuring standout storytelling and strategic executions from the likes of Sanlam, Amnesty International SA and Heineken Beverages.
• Craft: Precision in copywriting, UX, interface design and use of sound is on display from Ogilvy, MakeReign, Joe Public and VML South Africa.
• Emerging Technology: AI-driven campaigns from Standard Bank, Momentum, Unilever and Cadbury explore how technology is transforming customer journeys.
• Special Honours: Categories like Best Digital Student, Digital Rising Star, Best Contribution to Transformation and Pixel for Purpose spotlight the people and projects changing the industry from within.

These represent only a few of the innovative brands driving some of the most exciting campaigns today.

The Countdown to the Awards Ceremony Begins

The final winners will be revealed at a gala event on Thursday, 14 August, at The Galleria in Sandton, bringing together the industry's brightest brands and most creative changemakers.

Introducing the Bookmarks Rankings

IAB South Africa will be introducing the inaugural Bookmarks Rankings in 2025, providing a definitive performance benchmark across agencies, publishers and brands in the digital space. Between Friday, 15 August and Friday, 19 September, agencies will have the opportunity to update their credits via the Loeries portal. Rankings will be released in mid-November 2025, providing long-term recognition of creative consistency and campaign effectiveness.

The complete list of finalists can be viewed here.

For more information, visit www.thebookmarks.co.za. You can also follow the Bookmark Awards on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor