Set apart by its holistic focus, The Mark Awards says it honours creativity across the marketing ecosystem. From data planners and strategists to designers, UX specialists, technologists and business leaders, it highlights the collaboration required to deliver impactful, medium-agnostic campaigns. 

Backed by MarkLives.com, The Mark Awards says it champions results-driven strategies and campaigns that push boundaries, blending creativity with measurable impact. For over 16 years, MarkLives has celebrated and supported marketers and agencies through initiatives such as 'Young, Gifted & Killing It,' the Agency Leaders Awards, and MarkLives' Ad of the Month / Year. The Mark Awards are a natural extension of this, reinforcing MarkLives' commitment to recognising excellence and creativity that drive measurable change.

A Jury Reflecting Industry Excellence

The Mark Awards go beyond creative design, giving equal weight to success metrics, leadership, consumer experience and innovation. Its judging panels — details of which will be released in the coming weeks — include prominent South African and international industry leaders, representing a diverse range of expertise, adds the awards. 

South African jury members include:

  • Jessica Wheeler, Marketing Director, Nando's South Africa
  • Neo Makhele, Chief Strategy Officer, Ogilvy SA
  • Koo Govender, CEO, Publicis Groupe Africa
  • Enzo Scarcella, Chief Consumer Officer, MTN SA, and 
  • Vaughan Croeser, VP Marketing, SAB (AbInBev).

Notable international jury members include:

  • Tony Effik, MD, Google, New York
  • Valarie Vacante, VP of Solutions Innovation, Dentsu, Texas
  • Katrina Howell, Creative Director, Samsung, London
  • Anna Noakes Schulze, Head of CX, @TheNTWK, Germany, and
  • Kenta Namba, CEO / ECD, Studio Details, Tokyo. 

Genevieve van Vuuren, Innovation Partner at RAPT and Local Jury President for the Innovation category, says, "The relentless evolution of technology demands constant reinvention. The Mark Awards celebrate the pioneers shaping the industry's future."

Key Dates for the 2025 The Mark Awards:

  • Saturday, 1 March: Entries Open
  • Saturday, 1 to Monday, 31 March: Early Bird Deadline
  • Tuesday, 1 to Wednesday, 30 April: Regular Submission Deadline
  • Monday, 12 May to Sunday, 8 June: Judging
  • Thursday, 3 July: Shortlist Announcement
  • Saturday, 30 August: Awards Ceremony
  • September: Winners' Showcase

Celebrating Excellence Across the Ecosystem

The Mark Awards says it invites participation from marketing leaders, agency teams, designers, strategists and innovators. Entry submissions open on Saturday, 1 March. 

Katrina Howell, Creative Director at Samsung and International Jury President for the Design category, says, "Great design is about creative ingenuity — something easy to understand, use, adapt and remember."

The Mark Awards Co-Founder, Prakash Patel, concludes, "The Mark Awards aims to honour those redefining marketing by celebrating creativity, leadership and measurable success."

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

*Image courtesy of contributor