The 2025 IAB Bookmark Awards Honour South Africa’s Digital Pioneers with Bold Campaign Excellence

This year's competition is fierce, with agencies and brands showcasing a new level of digital mastery. Winners are recognised across platforms, channels, communities, publishing, campaigns, emerging digital technologies and craft categories, says the bureau.

Ogilvy emerges as a dominant force, securing multiple gold accolades for campaigns including KFC South Africa's 'KFC Sauce Code', KFC 'Block Booked', 'Your Ma Se KFC', and Cadbury Presents 'Real Mzansi Names,' adds the bureau.

Among Standout Performers, Winning Gold is:

• TBWA\ Hunt Lascaris: Sloom NapBot and City Lodge Hotels Save Our Stay (SOS).
• Juno Media: Chicken Licken — It's the little things that satisfy us most.
• Rogerwilco: Stellenbosch University —The S.E.O in G.E.O.
• Joe Public: Nedbank — Bank Your Time.Media24: Daily Sun — A Re Buwe, 2024 May Elections Coverage and Video News Reporting.

"The awards showcase the incredible talent and impact driving South Africa's digital landscape," says Chris Borain, Executive Director at IAB, South Africa. "Our winners are setting universal benchmarks, proving that digital marketing is not only growing in scale and skill, but creating work that competes on a global stage. This is the kind of innovation and impact that inspires the next generation to aim even higher."

A Historic First: Outstanding Individual Impact in Digital

The IAB Bookmark Awards 2025 sees the introduction of a brand-new accolade, the Outstanding Individual Impact in Digital Award. Designed to honour an individual whose vision and leadership have tangibly advanced South Africa's digital industry, the award sets a new standard for recognising personal achievement in the sector, says the bureau.

After a rigorous selection process led by the IAB Board and the Bookmark Awards Committee, Jarred Cinman is named the inaugural recipient. In the 1990s, Cinman co-founded one of the country's earliest digital agencies and has been instrumental in shaping both the IAB and the Bookmarks Awards themselves. His influence aims to span measurable business results, industry best practice and online culture, while his commitment to mentorship, ethical leadership and knowledge-sharing aims to help nurture the next generation of digital talent, adds the bureau.

The IAB Front Row Initiative Welcomes 15 Young Delegates

Adding to the evening's celebration, the IAB SA Education Council's Front Row initiative is welcoming and hosting 15 young talents, who were recently announced as the official 2025 delegates, says the bureau.

In addition to access at the ceremony, the selected participants will, for the next 12-months, acquire mentorship and networking opportunities with industry leaders. They will also gain access to the upcoming Nedbank IMC Conference, SMARTIES Awards, New Gen Awards and Assegai Awards. As well as participate in personal brand virtual workshops, Effie Dialogues, Loeries workshops and more, adds the bureau.

The Journey Continues: Rankings to Honour Consistent Excellence

The highly anticipated Bookmarks Digital Rankings will be announced later this year, recognising the agencies and brands that have delivered award-winning digital work. In the meantime, winners are encouraged to log into the Bookmarks entry portal to update their credits, ensuring every contributor is recognised for their role in these achievements, says the bureau.

The Bookmarks remains a platform for recognising and fostering growth in the digital industry, aiming to inspire both established and emerging talents to reach new creative heights. A full list of winners is available on the IAB South Africa website, concludes the bureau.

For more information, visit www.thebookmarks.iabsa.net. You can also follow The Bookmarks on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor