The awards, in their thirteenth consecutive year, received over 500 submissions from the corporate, agency, and tertiary sectors, as well as from individual candidates. They honour the innovators among corporates, agencies, and individuals who embrace creativity and leverage advanced technology to elevate their brands and products, adapting to the evolving demands of today’s consumers.
Stephen Paxton, founder of the awards, remarked that this exceptional engagement is a powerful testament to South Africa’s vibrant growth in the digital and online technology sectors over the past year. We extend our deepest gratitude to all participants for their outstanding contributions. The remarkable quality of this year’s submissions has truly surpassed our expectations. Many silver and bronze winners achieved the gold benchmark of 80% and above, and campaigns that received identical scores from our judges were honoured with multiple gold, silver, and bronze awards,’ said Paxton.
‘Our analysis highlighted a significant rise in Influencer Marketing, Technical Innovation, and strategic Content Marketing that resonated powerfully with audiences. Virality emerged as a pivotal force in numerous campaigns, particularly those with modest budgets. Furthermore, an increasing number of brands are boldly embracing the limitless potential of artificial intelligence.’
Paxton conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the 30 esteemed jury members for their dedication and invaluable insights throughout the judging process. Special gratitude was directed to the Headline Naming Sponsor, WesBank; Bronze Sponsors, Unilever South Africa and Algorithm Agency; Brand Sponsor, Forge By Brave; and Vehicle Brand Sponsor, Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa. ‘As an independent awards programme, sponsorship plays a crucial role in creating a truly memorable event, and we eagerly anticipate continuing these partnerships for many more inspiring gatherings in the future.’
Paxton conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the 30 esteemed jury members for their dedication and invaluable insights throughout the judging process. Special gratitude was directed to the Headline Naming Sponsor, WesBank; Bronze Sponsors, Unilever South Africa and Algorithm Agency; Brand Sponsor, Forge By Brave; and Vehicle Brand Sponsor, Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa. ‘As an independent awards programme, sponsorship plays a crucial role in creating a truly memorable event, and we eagerly anticipate continuing these partnerships for many more inspiring gatherings in the future.’
Here are your winners:
| CORPORATE CATEGORIES: | |||
| Best Revenue-Generating Marketing Campaign or Event | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Mercedes-Benz South Africa | Net#work BBDO | Keep Them Guessing |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Clicks Group | Clicks & Vaseline Cera Glow | |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | The Beverage Company | Hellosquare | Reboost Watermelon Splash |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | PepsiCo South Africa | M+C Saatchi Abel & PHD | Weet-Bix Flavourites |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | PepsiCo South Africa | M+C Saatchi Abel, IMA SA (Pty) Ltd, MSports Marketing | Simba x KFC: Original Recipe campaign |
| Best Social Media Reach from an Event / Activation – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | MPA Alliance | Flow Communications | MPA Day 2024 |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Nedbank | Levergy | Ya Rona House |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | SuperSport | Blue Robot | SuperSport’s SA20 SuperFan Engagement Challenge |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | PepsiCo South Africa | M+C Saatchi Abel, PHD, IMA SA (Pty) Ltd, EVG Media, Hirt and Carter, MSports Marketing | Simba x KFC: Original Recipe campaign |
| Best Online Competition – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | PepsiCo South Africa | Accenture Song | NikNaks #OwnYourNak & Cheesy Kota |
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Volkswagen South Africa | OGILVY | #SHOULDGOTAVIVO |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Absa | Flume Digital Marketing | Absa Group Tyla Concert |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Heineken Beverages | Dentsu Red Star | UCL Delivery |
| Most Innovative App Developed – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Shyft, powered by Standard Bank | Shyft | |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Global Business Solutions | Disciplinary Enquiry Bots | |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | NEXT ORBIT | Docaroo.ai | |
| Best Use of Technical Innovation – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Unilever South Africa | VML | Dove Real Beauty Generation |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Ringside Fitness | Lucky Hustle | The Legacy of Ludumo Lamati |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Castle Lite | Blue Robot | Extra Cold Quest |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Volkswagen South Africa | OGILVY | The Night School Life-Saving Platform |
| Best Low-Budget Campaign | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Ringside Fitness | Lucky Hustle | The Legacy of Ludumo Lamati |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | SuperSport | Blue Robot | SuperSport’s SA20 SuperFan Engagement Challenge |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | TEARS Foundation | Dark Matter Creative Communications | Soothing the Nation |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Unilever South Africa | Oliver Marketing | Vaseline Cera Glow & Clicks Live Shopping |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Absa | On Point PR and Lifestyle Management | AbsaXTakealot House of Beauty |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Cape Union Mart International – Old Khaki | 365 Digital Media | Old Khaki’s TikTok Journey to Community and Revenue |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | PluxNet | Spitfire Inbound | Fibre50: Connected for Less |
| Mobile Marketing Excellence – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Vodacom | OGILVY | Vodacom V-Up Summer |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Castle Lite | Blue Robot | Extra Cold Quest |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Vodacom | OGILVY | When You See It |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Tiger Brands | Hellosquare | Albany Breaducation |
| Blogging Excellence – Sponsored by Unilever | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Hippo | Pitch SM | The Complete Car Guide (SA) |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Nedbank Limited | MoneyEDGE | |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Chas Everitt International | Stratitude | Chas Everitt International Property Group Blog |
| Most Innovative Use of Social and Digital Media – Sponsored by Algorithm Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Woolworths | This Apple Can Save the World – Farming for the Future | |
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Volkswagen South Africa | OGILVY | #SHOULDGOTAVIVO |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Mondelez South Africa | VML | They’re out there. LunchBar’s, UFO’s, and Aliens. |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Mercedes-Benz South Africa | Net#work BBDO | Keep Them Guessing |
| Most Innovative Gamification Campaign – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Vodacom | OGILVY | Vodacom V-Up Summer: Count The V’s’ Gamification |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Castle Lite | Blue Robot | Extra Cold Quest |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Aware.org | WONDER | Makers of Tomorrow – Party in your Pocket |
| Best Community Engagement Award | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | AB InBev | draftLine | Messages of Support |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Volkswagen South Africa | OGILVY | #SHOULDGOTAVIVO |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | PepsiCo South Africa | Accenture Song | NikNaks #OwnYourNak & Cheesy Kota |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Umlazi Mega City | Mbuso Media | Azidle Ekhaya With Maka Enzo |
| Excellence In Content Marketing – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Mondelez South Africa | VML | They’re out there. LunchBar’s, UFO’s and Aliens. |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Bryte Insurance | Instinctif Partners | #PackBryte: Redefining Insurance Through Data, Design, and Digital Culture |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Woolworths | This Apple Can Save the World – Farming for the Future | |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Heineken Beverages (Amstel) | Accenture Song, Dentsu Red Star, AIR Agency, Red Pepper Pictures | Friends of Amstel |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Standard Bank South Africa | VML | Standard Bank Budget Speech Blow by Blow |
| Best Online PR Campaign – Sponsored by Algorithm Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Unilever South Africa | Oliver Marketing | Dove Express Yourself in 100 Colours |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Nedbank | Levergy | Ya Rona House |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | African Union Sports Council | Flow Communications | Keep Moving Campaign |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Shein | Dialogue Communications | Shein Johannesburg Pop-up Store |
| Best Integrated Marketing Campaign – Sponsored by Unilever South Africa | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Mondelez South Africa | OGILVY | #RealMzansiNames |
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Mondelez South Africa | VML | They’re out there. LunchBar’s, UFO’s and Aliens. |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Volkswagen South Africa | OGILVY | The Night School Life-Saving Platform |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Mercedes-Benz South Africa | Net#work BBDO | Keep Them Guessing |
| Most Viral Campaign – Sponsored by Unilever South Africa | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Woolworths | This Apple Can Save the World – Farming for the Future | |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | MPA Alliance | Flow Communications | MPA Day 2024 |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | PepsiCo South Africa | Accenture Song | NikNaks #OwnYourNak & Cheesy Kota |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Simba (PepsiCo) | M+C Saatchi Abel & PHD | Simba: For The Love of Tomato Sauce |
| Best Use of Social Media to Research and Evaluate – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Bed Bath Home | Correlate | Hospitality Checks Out Online |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Mondelez South Africa | OGILVY, Publicis-Starcom | Cadbury Mzansi Names |
| Best Influencer Marketing Campaign | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Standard Bank South Africa | VML | Standard Bank Budget Speech Blow by Blow |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Mercedes-Benz South Africa | Net#work BBDO | Keep Them Guessing |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Woolworths | This Apple Can Save the World – Farming for the Future | |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | PepsiCo South Africa | MullenLowe South Africa | 7 Days 7 Ways for 7 Weeks with Spekko Rice |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | The Beverage Company | Hellosquare | Reboost Watermelon Splash |
| Best Use Best Use of AI in Marketing Campaign – Sponsored by Forge By Brave | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Ringside Fitness | Lucky Hustle | The Legacy of Ludumo Lamati |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | SA Heart | The MediaShop & Lucid | Check My Beat |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Momentum | Techsys Digital | She Owns Her Success |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Unilever South Africa | Oliver Marketing | Lifebuoy Global Handwashing Day 2024 |
| Best Email Marketing Campaign by a Corporate – Sponsored by Unilever | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | FUTURELIFE® (PepsiCo) | TDMC | From Shelf to Self |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Good Work Foundation | Flow Communications | Reimagining Rural Education campaign |
| Best CRM Strategy Campaign – Sponsored by Volkswagen Financial Services | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Takealot | Blue Robot | Takealot Ultimate Checkout Sale |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Suzuki Auto South Africa | Spitfire Inbound & Penquin Advertising | Driving Loyalty Through CRM Excellence |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Clicks Group | ClubCard loyalty programme | |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Bonitas Medical Aid | Adclick Africa | Bonitas For All Life Stages |
| AGENCY CATEGORIES: | |||
| Best Augmented Reality Marketing Campaign by an Agency | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Hailr and XR Growth Lab | uCreate Design & Innovation Hub | Wild Space “Space Grannies” AR Activation |
| Best Use of Technical Innovation by an Agency – Sponsored by Forge By Brave | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | VML | Unilever South Africa | Dove Real Beauty Generation |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | OGILVY | Volkswagen South Africa | The Night School Life-Saving Platform |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Blue Robot | Castle Lite | Extra Cold Quest |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Dentsu Red Star | Amstel | Amstel Radler Re-Launch |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Rookdigital & PHD | Audi South Africa | Audi Aftercare |
| Most Viral Campaign by an Agency – Sponsored by Algorithm Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | OGILVY | Volkswagen South Africa | #SHOULDGOTAVIVO |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Net#work BBDO | Mercedes-Benz South Africa | Keep Them Guessing |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Levergy | Nedbank | Ya Rona House |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | M+C Saatchi Abel & PHD | PepsiCo South Africa | Weet-Bix Flavourites |
| Most Innovative Social and Digital Media by a Small Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Correlate | Bed Bath Home | Hospitality Checks Out Online |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | 2Stories | Shyft – Standard Bank | Shyft Squadcation |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Hellosquare | The Beverage Company | Reboost Watermelon Splash |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Lumico | Estee Lauder | Foundation for the Nation |
| Most Innovative Social and Digital Media Campaign by a Medium Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Machine_ | PepsiCo South Africa – SASKO Bakeries | SAM’s Stacks |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Net#work BBDO | Mercedes-Benz South Africa | Keep Them Guessing |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Mscsports | Engen | Engen Champions |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | The MediaShop & Lucid | SA Heart | Check My Beat |
| Most Innovative Social and Digital Media Campaign by a Large Agency – Sponsored by Algorithm Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | VML | Unilever South Africa | Dove Real Beauty Generation |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | VML | Mondelez South Africa | They’re out there. LunchBar’s, UFO’s and Aliens |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Oliver Marketing | Unilever South Africa | Cleanipedia -Countdown To Clean |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | OGILVY, Publicis-Starcom | Mondelez South Africa | Cadbury Mzansi Names |
| Best Influencer Marketing Campaign by an Agency | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Net#work BBDO | Mercedes-Benz South Africa | Keep Them Guessing |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Mediology | Tetmosol | #MySkinTrustsTetmosol |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | OGILVY | Volkswagen South Africa | #SHOULDGOTAVIVO |
| Best Integrated Marketing Campaign by an Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Net#work BBDO | Mercedes-Benz South Africa | Keep Them Guessing |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | OGILVY | Volkswagen South Africa | #SHOULDGOTAVIVO |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Publicis-Starcom | Mondelez South Africa | Cadbury LunchBar Bra Lucas |
| Blogging Excellence by an Agency | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Media24 | Vodacom | Vodacom now! Blog |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Spitfire Inbound and Penquin Advertising | Suzuki Auto South Africa | From Strategic Blogging to Market Leadership through SEO-First Content |
| Best Use of AI in Marketing Campaign by an Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Avatar Agency & 99c | Absa | Behind the numbers |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | The Brave Group | Nedbank | Nedbank NAR Africa Month Campaign |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Algorithm Agency & MobiClicks | BUCO | Begin with Buco |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Dentsu Red Star | Amstel | Radler Re-Launch |
| Best Email Marketing Campaign by an Agency | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Black&White (The Up&Up Group South Africa) | Dis-Chem | Extra Rewards |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Flow Communications | Good Work Foundation | Reimagining Rural Education campaign |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Publicis-Machine | Sanlam | SLS Sync |
| Best CRM Strategy Campaign by an Agency – Sponsored by Volkswagen Financial Services | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Black&White (The Up&Up Group South Africa) | Dis-Chem | Extra Rewards |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Adclick Africa Agency | Bonitas Medical Aid | Bonitas For All Life Stages |
| ONLINE MEDIA & TOOLS CATEGORIES: | |||
| Best Intranet | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Accenture | Stratitude | Accent on You |
| Best Corporate Website | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Lexus South Africa | Flume Digital Marketing | Lexus Website |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Toyota South Africa | Flume Digital Marketing | Toyota Website |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Barloworld Equipment | Spitfire Inbound | Barloworld Equipment Website Digital Overhaul |
| Best Marketing Automation Campaign | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Telkom | Dentsu Data | Merkury for Telkom |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Spitfire Inbound and Penquin Advertising | Suzuki Auto South Africa | Smart Journeys, Real Results: Suzuki’s Always-On Automation Engine |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Vodacom | OGILVY | Vodacom Postpaid Always On |
| Best Online Newsletter | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Travelisa | Flow Communications | Travelisa newsletter |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | Good Work Foundation | Flow Communications | Reimagining Rural Education newsletter |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Chas Everitt International Property Group | Stratitude | THE PROPERTY SIGNPOST |
| Best Use of Podcast/Vlog to Promote a Brand or Event – Sponsored by Unilever | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | Savanna | Dentsu Red Star | Weekend of Marvels Live Podcast from the Durban July |
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | TIM.Africa | The Incredible Machines Podcast | |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Jacaranda FM | Mevrou Mevrou (Season 2) | |
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Transnet | Brand Leadership Group | Transnet Red Table Podcast |
| Best Online Magazine/Newspaper | |||
| SILVER WINNER 2025 | SME South Africa | ||
| BRONZE WINNER 2025 | Publicis-Machine | Sanlam | Connect Client Whisperer Special Edition digi mag |
| STUDENT CATEGORIES: | |||
| The New Generation Student Group of the Year Award – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | AAA School of Advertising Bryanston | Hisense, More Than a Brand | |
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | IIE-Vega | Cipla South Africa | |
| The New Generation Student of the Year Award – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| GOLD WINNER 2025 | AAA School of Advertising Bryanston | Mehna Gokal | If your shoes were On |
| BLACK ONYX AWARD WINNERS: | |||
| The New Generation Agency Community Engagement Manager of the Year Award | |||
| Philani Mokoena | DNA Brand Architects | ||
| The New Generation UX UI Designer of the Year Award | |||
| Lara Nel and Elizabeth Ras | NEXT ORBIT | Docaroo.ai | |
| The New Generation Digital Marketer of the Year Award – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| Nicole Glover | Penquin Advertising | ||
| Thato Soato | Vodacom | ||
| The New Generation Top Animator of the Year Award | |||
| Shaheen Jacobs | Clicks Group | ||
| The New Generation Social Wiz of the Year Award – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| Oarabile Kgantsi | DNA Brand Architects | ||
| The New Generation Best Customer Experience (CX) of the Year Award – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| Publicis-Digitas SA | South African Tourism | Perfect Match | |
| The New Generation Digital Brand of the Year Award – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| Vodacom | |||
| The New Generation Online Strategy of the Year Award – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| Suzuki Auto South Africa | Penquin Advertising and Spitfire | ||
| The New Generation Small Agency of the Year Award – Sponsored by WesBank | |||
| Lucky Hustle | |||
| The New Generation Medium Agency of the Year Award | |||
| Penquin Advertising | |||
| The New Generation Large Agency of the Year Award | |||
| Dentsu Media South Africa | |||
| The New Generation Overall Social & Digital Corporate of the Year Award – Sponsored by Algorithm Agency | |||
| PepsiCo South Africa | |||