Bookmarks Pave The Way for New Talent with First-Ever Learner Jury
(Cape Town, 17 July 2024): Off the back of Youth Month and with Round 2 judging of the prestigious 2024 Bookmark Awards, powered by naming rights partner Mark1, currently underway, the IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards is pleased to announce the launch of the Bookmarks Learner Jury Initiative. Aimed at fostering the next generation of digital media and marketing leaders, the initiative builds upon the success of the IAB South Africa Front Row programme, which provides young professionals with access to industry events.
The Learner Jury expands access to the Bookmarks’ ecosystem, with nominations from agencies, youth organisations and higher education institutions specialising in media and marketing. The initiative allows for a wider range of promising talent to engage with specific panels based on their existing experiences and career goals. This tailored approach ensures exposure to relevant industry leaders and judging processes aligned with the participants’ interests and fosters valuable networking opportunities within their chosen niche.
“The core objective is to introduce promising young minds to the world-class work being produced in South Africa’s digital media and marketing landscape,” says Pippa Misplon, IAB South Africa Bookmarks Committee Lead and Managing Director at Retroviral. “By integrating them into the judging panels, Learner Jurors gain invaluable insights from industry experts, fostering a network that can propel their future careers.”
LEARNING THROUGH OBSERVATION
The Learner Jury Initiative offers a multitude of strategic benefits for young professionals, who will:
Gain early exposure to the Bookmarks and the broader digital marketing industry,
Network with established professionals and obtain valuable career insights,
Learn from industry leaders and observe the judging process firsthand, and
Increase their visibility within their chosen fields, potentially leading to job or internship opportunities.
The Bookmark Awards are the pre-eminent awards recognising excellence in digital marketing, media and technology in South Africa. By participating in the Learner Jury Panel, young professionals gain invaluable exposure to the industry's best work and the judging process that identifies these achievements.
While Learner Jurors will not have voting rights, their participation will enrich the judging process by bringing fresh perspectives and fostering a diversity of thought. Their presence will ensure the Bookmarks continue to recognise and celebrate the most innovative and impactful work in the digital media and marketing landscape.
“We are thrilled to launch yet another youth-aimed initiative designed to nurture the next generation of talent. The Learner Jury Initiative aligns perfectly with IAB South Africa’s commitment to cultivating an innovative and vibrant digital media and marketing landscape in South Africa,” concludes Razia Pillay, CEO of IAB South Africa.
MEET THE LEARNER JURY AT THIS YEAR’S BOOKMARKS
Each Jury Panel will include one to two Learner Jurors who will have access to nominated works and a chance to be part of the conversation during the judging process (but will not have voting rights). The 2024 Bookmark Awards Learner Jury includes:
Marketers Panel
Murray Williamson, Junior Copywriter, Retroviral
Neo Baloyi, Front Row learner
Marketing Craft Panel
Megan Taylor Hills, Art Director, McAnn Joburg
Amy Gajjar, Art Director Intern, Machine_
Performance Marketing Panel
Lelo Maduna, Front Row learner
Nasiphe Rondo, Senior Account Executive, Digitas Liquorice
Social, Community & Influencer Marketing
Gugulethu Muzondo, Front Row learner
Neo Nkwana, Front Row learner
Youth Action Panel
Zen Tunguntwana, Account Executive, Digitas Liquorice
Buhle Ntusi, Junior Copywriter and Liquorice Le Cub, Digitas Liquorice
Builders Panel
Masindi Sigama, Junior Strategist, Retroviral
Abdul Gilbert, Junior UX Designer and Liquorice Le Cub, Digitas Liquorice
Innovative Engineers Panel
Mijaenne Grove, Bookmarks 2023 Best Student Winner
Bongumenzi Siluma, Junior Designer, Retroviral
Special Honours Panel
Megan Leigh Kimber, Graphic Designer and Bookmarks 2023 Best Student Winner, Ortho Design
Tumi Motheng, Senior Account Manager, Digitas Liquorice
Publishers Panel
Philani Mokoena, Front Row learner
Tickets for both the Bookmarks Awards ceremony and the Bookmarks Finalists’ Showcase are now available here. Ticketholders can unlock a special offer to receive more than 25% off rooms (including breakfast) from Bookmarks 2024 official accommodation partner, Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel.
The IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards is generously supported by naming rights partner Mark1, with further support from DStv Media Sales; South African Breweries (SAB); Google; Rainmaker Media, ShopriteX; Vodacom Media; Tractor Outdoor and Polygon; and Accenture Song.
For more information on the Bookmark Awards 2024, visit thebookmarks.co.za.
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Issued by Chimera Creative on behalf of IAB South Africa and The Bookmark Awards
2024. For media enquiries, contact zainab@chimeracreative.co.za.
About The Bookmark Awards
The Bookmark Awards is an IAB South Africa initiative celebrating your innovation, creativity and effectiveness within the digital media and marketing industry. It is the unrivalled benchmark of local advertising excellence. While The Bookmarks have always stood for prestige digital work, it also aims to drive digital change. Winning a Bookmark Award is a recognition of work that helps move the industry forward. thebookmarks.co.za
About IAB South Africa
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) South Africa, formerly known as the DMMA, is an independent, voluntary, non-profit association focused on growing and sustaining a vibrant and profitable digital industry within South Africa. IAB South Africa enables growth for our people, brands, agencies, publishers and platforms through education, measurement and acknowledgement. IAB South Africa empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy and comprises 150 leading media companies, brands and technology firms working in digital marketing and media. Become an active member to thrive in a digital economy by signing up on iabsa.net.
