The Grand Effie recognises a campaign that exemplifies marketing effectiveness at its peak. It is not guaranteed each year and is only awarded when a case demonstrates clear, measurable impact and enduring results. The 2025 Grand Jury will meet in person on Thursday, 28 August to deliberate on qualifying entries, says the awards.

The panel will be co-chaired by Refilwe Maluleke, Executive Head of Marketing at Discovery Health and Ahmed Tilly, Creative Consultant at Number 10 - A Creative Consultancy, adds the awards.

The 2025 Effie South Africa Grand Jury includes:

  • Refilwe Maluleke (Jury Co-Chair) — Executive Head of Marketing, Discovery Health.
  • Ahmed Tilly (Jury Co-Chair) — Creative Consultant, Number 10 - A Creative Consultancy.
  • Elizabeth Mokwena — Executive Marketing Director, Unilever.
  • Fran Luckin — Chief Creative Officer, VML South Africa.
  • Grant MacPherson — Chief Marketing Officer, KFC.
  • Kagiso Musi — Group Managing Director, Meta Media.
  • Laurent Marty — Strategic Planning Director, Joe Public.
  • Neo Makhele — Chief Strategy Officer, Ogilvy South Africa.
  • Suhana Gordhan — Chief Creative Officer, Love Song.
  • Steph van Niekerk — Executive Creative Director, TBWA\South Africa.
  • Nthabiseng Matshekga — Executive Head, Integrated Marketing and Experience, Nedbank.
  • Vaughan Croeser — Vice President, Marketing, SAB ABInBev.
  • Thabang Skwambane — Chief Executive Officer, Nahana Communications Group.

Gillian Rightford, Executive Director of the ACA for Effie South Africa, says, "The calibre and experience represented on this year's Grand Jury is extraordinary. Their insight, perspective and rigour play a critical role in determining whether any campaign truly stands above the rest in terms of effectiveness. It's a weighty responsibility and one we know this group is more than capable of carrying."

Effie Awards South Africa is hosted by the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA) and sponsored by Nedbank, SAB, Unilever, GIB Insurance, Investec, with in-kind support from Lobengula Advertising and media partner Modern Marketing, concludes the awards.

For more information, visit www.effie.org. You can also follow Effie Awards South Africa on Facebook, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor