Entries for the Financial Mail AdFocus Media Awards close on Friday, 30 August, while entries for the Financial Mail AdFocus Advertising Awards close on Friday, 6 September.

Adfocus Awards' main advertising jury 2019:
  • Brenda Khumalo — Term 1
  • Bridget von Holdt (business director, Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW)) — Term 2
  • Koo Govender (CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network, South Africa) — Term 2
  • Lesego Kotane (MD, King James II) — Term 1
  • Makosha Maja-Rasethaba (Partner: head of strategy (Johannesburg), M&C Saatchi) — Term 2
  • Matjie Pride Maunatlala (head of marketing, TFG, Foschini Division, Foschini) — Term 1
  • Michael Oelschig (MD, Cerebra) — Term 1
  • Mmapula Mokoena (head of marketing, Yalu SA) — Term 1
  • Monalisa Sibongile Zwambila (founder and CEO, Riverbed) —Term 2
  • Nkgabiseng Motau (co-founder & chief creative officer, thinkcreativeafrica) — Term 1
  • Nontokozo Madonsela (group CMO, MMI Holdings) — Term 1
  • Oresti Patricios (CEO, OrnicoGroup) — Term 1
  • Phumi Mashigo (founding MD, Ignitive and AdFocus main jury 2019/20 Chairperson)
  • Ruth Kolevsohn (founder & CEO, Coachability) — Term 2
  • Sharon Piehl (MD, FleishmanHillard) — Term 2
  • Sibusiso Sithle (co-founder and chief creative officer, The Odd Number) — Term 2
  • Suhana Gordhan (creative director, FCB Africa) — Term 1
  • Tumi Rabanye (head of strategy, The Brave Group) — Term 1
Adfocus Awards media jury 2019:
  • Ashish Williams (CEO, Medicom)
  • Candice Goodman (MD, Mobitainment)
  • Carmen Murray (CEO, Boo-Yah!)
  • Gill Randall (CEO, SPARK Media)
  • Koo Govender (CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network, South Africa)
  • Monique Claassen (head of media and digital insights, Kantar)
  • Nikki Lewin (MD, Alphabet Soup)
  • Phumi Mashigo (founding MD, Ignitive & AdFocus Jury 2019/20 Chairperson)
  • Rob Smuts (CEO, RMS Media)
  • Tanya Schreuder (group MD media brands, Dentsu Aegis Network)
"Being new to the FM Adfocus Awards judging process, I'm a blank canvas, [and I am] expecting to see how South African talent and skill will translate into answering the different business challenges with advertising that not only resonates with the consumer but also inspires them to take action," says Mokoena.

"I am looking forward to a showcase of brave work underpinned by purpose that can inject collective national positivity. For my journey, I am looking to soak up meaningful moments with industry leaders. I am more than excited to contribute to celebrating and improving our industry," Maunatlala adds.

"I hope and expect to see AdFocus Awards entries that showcase how we can solve local problems with local solutions, and how doing good is good business," Goodman says.

"It will be really comforting if the latest evidence-based knowledge about effective media planning is incorporated as part of the evaluative process," adds Randall. "The current obsession with digital and its role has diverted a lot of industry people's attention and created a false reality of what needs to form part of a good strategy."

"Awards ceremonies such as AdFocus, are crucially important because they enable the industry to showcase its best work," says Mashigo. "They remind decision-makers that the absolutely vital advertising industry still exists, making businesses succeed more than 155 years after it was formally established. This is why, in Silicon Valley, the most successful start-ups spend on average 80 percent of their funding on brand building," says Mashigo.

"AdFocus is not only about competition. It is about inspiring one another, raising the bar for ourselves and our clients, and ushering the next big thing in the world economy," concludes Mashigo.

To enter, or for more information, you can visit the Adfocus website. Those who registered in 2018 will need to register again for 2019.

For more information, contact adfocus100@gmail.co.za.