INDUSTRY AWARDS

IAB SA opens its annual Bookmark Awards for 2025 entries

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

The awards, now in their 17th year, celebrate innovation, creativity and impact in South Africa’s digital marketing landscape.

Entries for the 2025 Bookmark Awards organised by the Interactive Advertising Bureau of South Africa (IAB SA) are now open. These annual awards celebrate excellence in digital media marketing and are now in their 17th year.

A scene from the Bookmark Awards. Photo: IAB SA

“The Bookmark Awards aren’t just about winning trophies – they’re about celebrating the innovation, creativity and impact that define South Africa’s digital marketing landscape,” says Elizabeth Mokwena, Jury President for 2025 and Home Care Executive Marketing Director for Unilever Southern Africa. 

 

“This year, we’re looking for work that doesn’t just push boundaries but redefines them. We want to see campaigns that spark conversations, solve real-world challenges and create meaningful connections with audiences. If you’ve created something that you are truly proud of, this is your chance to shine and inspire the industry to reach new heights.” 

 

Past winners at the Bookmarks include the likes of Ogilvy, Media24, Joe Public, Accenture Song (formerly King James), VMLY&R and TBWA. 

 

Work produced between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025 qualifies for entry. Entries for the 2025 awards close on 16 April and the Early Bird Discount on entry fees applies until 3 March. 

 

Criteria and categories for 2025 awards 

 

This year’s awards feature updated categories and refined criteria, which the organisers say are “designed to reflect the rapid evolution of the digital world”. Entries are judged on the following: Creative excellence (30%); Innovation and technical accomplishment (40%); Meeting or exceeding business goals and results (30%). 

 

Categories for 2025 include:  

 

  • Communities. How a digital community was used as, or built, through a marketing initiative, through social media campaigns, or owned social-based channels. 

 

  • Channels. How relevant digital channels were used as a marketing initiative, delivering business results and maximising ROI. 

 

  • Emerging Digital Technologies and Channels. How new and emerging digital technology and channels were leveraged creatively or innovatively to achieve marketing objectives. 

 

  • Campaign. Excellence in digital campaign work, creating compelling and innovative digital marketing that delivers business results. 

 

  • Craft Awards. Digital work with flawless design, masterful execution and outstanding user experience.  

 

To help potential entrants with their entry submissions, the IAB SA is hosting two online masterclasses. The first is for Publishers (21 February) and the second is for Agencies (28 February).  

 

You can find out more about the Bookmark Awards here.

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.