Working with agency Accenture Song, the Foundation turned The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix into the most decorated idea of the evening at The Campus in Bryanston, adding the Pixel for Purpose black pixel and a shared Best Marketer honour to a tally that ran deep into the craft and strategy categories, says the awards.

The night's most watched title, Best Digital Agency, ended in a rare draw. Accenture Song and Ogilvy each walked away with a black pixel, a result that captured an industry where the gap between its two biggest players has all but closed.

The black pixel Winners

Pete Case, CEO and Creative Chairman at Ogilvy, was named Best Creative, recognition for a career and a body of work that has shaped how a generation of South African creatives think. Andrea Quaye, Marketing Director at Heineken Beverages, took Best Individual Contribution to Digital Marketing, a reminder that behind every brave campaign there is usually a brave marketer. Previdar was named Best Publisher, and Lucid Ventures took Best Direct Brand or Online Business for Jasper and Jute, adds the awards.

"It's such a privilege to win this award, and it's really humbling because this kind of work, you don't win by yourself. It's with my team, it's with my amazing egancies and I want to give a big shout out to the Bookmark Awards" says Quaye.

"I couldn't have done this on my own over the past 10 years without my amazing team, and my incredible business partners. We started something with a dream and passion. We really are trying to change and shape the way people see art, to let it be accessible and still be something special," says Katy Ward, Owner of Jasper and Jute.

Ogilvy and Volkswagen earned the Localisation and Cultural Relevance black pixel for 'Forever Golf'.

Gregory Leigh Booysen of Accenture Song was named Digital Rising Star, and Vega School at Emeris produced two Best Digital Student winners in Arielle Marinakis and Chad Gaddie. Marinakis credited the long hours and sacrifices for the win. 

"This is crazy. This is the dream as a young creative. I came into this industry super young. I didn't know much, but I get to work every day with guys who are super talented," says Booysen. "To those guys, I love and respect you."

Haydn Townsend was honoured with the black pixel for Outstanding Individual Impact in Digital, awarded in memoriam, says the awards.

"Tonight we celebrated the people who refuse to settle," says Chris Borain, Executive Director of IAB South Africa. "To every winner across every pixel this year, from bronze to black, you have raised the bar for all of us. And to the family, friends and colleagues of Haydn Townsend, thank you for sharing him with our industry. His impact will outlast every award ever given."

"None of this happens on its own, and it certainly does not happen without the partners who choose to stand behind it," adds Borain. "To Bmedia, our headline partner, thank you for believing in the Bookmarks and in the people who make this industry what it is. Thank you to Media24, DStv Media Sales, Unilever, MTN Ads, Futureborn, and Yarneigh Studios. Your support does not just fund an awards show. It tells every entrant, every agency and every young creative in that room that this work matters, and that someone is willing to back it."

Gold Across Every Theme

The black pixels are the summit, but the climb runs through eight themes, and this year the gold pixels told a story of range and craft.

In Build, MakeReign took gold for Khula in Software, Services and Platforms, a product built with real people in mind. Accenture Song's The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix landed gold in Games, turning a serious idea into something people actually wanted to play, says the awards.

In Communicate, Joe Public earned gold for Nedbank's Hardworking Professionals in Online Video Series. Accenture Song added another gold for Integrated Digital Campaign.

In Connect, Ogilvy took gold for Unilever's '#VaselineVerified', a campaign that used the internet's own instincts against it in the best way. The Odd Number won gold for Previdar's Show Ghana Love, and Clockwork earned gold in Influencer Marketing for The Salvation Army's Escape It, adds the awards.

In Innovate, Ogilvy claimed gold for Audi's TikTok Test Drive in Channel Innovation, taking a car showroom and rebuilding it inside a feed.

In Impact, the strategists had their say. VML SA won gold for Vaseline's Mntana Ka Gogo in Break Through on a Budget. Ogilvy took gold for Google in Search Engine Optimisation with If the fits, circle it, while Accenture Song and Ogilvy both earned gold in Digital Campaign Strategy for The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix and '#VaselineVerified' respectively, says the awards.

In Publish, The Odd Number's Show Ghana Love took gold in Social Media Content. 

In Craft, MakeReign's Khula was a repeat winner across Strategy, Software, Coding and Tech Innovation and Interactive Design, while Accenture Song's The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix collected gold in Online Video, Interactive Design and Excellence in Craft, concludes the awards.

For more information, visit www.thebookmarks.iabsa.net. You can also follow the Interactive Advertising Bureau on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor