Airline body urges African governments to act on opening market access
‘Strategies don’t move people. Now it is time to make the difficult decisions and execute them,’ senior executive stresses.
A.M.C. MEMBERS NEWS
Odiline Kava takes Chairperson reins for Exceptional Marketing Awards
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
MAZ says appointment signals a dynamic new chapter to elevate industry standards, enhance credibility and celebrate marketers.
The Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) has announced Odiline Kava as the new Chairperson of the Exceptional Marketing Awards.
Renowned as the pinnacle celebration of marketing mastery in Zimbabwe, the EMAs recognise bold brand building, precision targeting and campaigns that deliver real commercial impact.
“Kava’s appointment signals a dynamic new chapter focused on elevating industry standards, enhancing credibility and celebrating marketers who are not just creative, but commercially fearless,” MAZ says in a website post.
“This appointment reflects a renewed commitment to enhancing the credibility, transparency, and strategic relevance of the awards. With a reputation for marketing excellence and results-driven leadership, Kava steps into this role with a bold mandate: to refine the integrity of the adjudication process and elevate the awards into a benchmark of marketing distinction, aligned with both local realities and global standards.”
Odiline Kava. Photo: LinkedIn
The awards were launched in 2012 as a strategic initiative to recognise, encourage and celebrate excellence across the marketing value chain within the broader business landscape.
According to MAZ, they have become the local industry’s gold standard for honouring creativity, effectiveness and innovation in brand communication, campaign execution and strategic market positioning.
Greater emphasis on process accountability
“Under Kava’s stewardship, the EMA will place greater emphasis on process accountability, with a sharpened focus on strategic execution, creativity, brand resonance and data-driven performance,” MAZ notes.
“Independent adjudicators … such as Zane Rance, Blessmore Gandawa, Fredius Dzumbunu, Innocent Mushamba, Loice Nyathi, Shingirai Chririkuutsi, Wilson Masawa and Sandra Sithole will guide the evaluation process, ensuring that each accolade represents true merit and measurable impact.”
The awards are a trusted pulse-check of Zimbabwe’s marketing and brand communications sector and recognise a broad spectrum of competencies across traditional, digital and integrated marketing verticals.
Some of the flagship categories include Best Radio Advert of the Year, Best Print Advert of the Year, Best Outdoor Advert of the Year, Best Website of the Year, Best Customer Experience Personality of the Year, Brand Manager of the Year, Digital Marketing Practitioner of the Year, Public Relations Practitioner of the Year, and Marketing-Oriented CEO / Managing Director of the Year.
Uganda Tourism Board partners with major European ice hockey league
UTB says its ambition is to turn the visibility into interest, bookings and more visitors choosing to explore Uganda.
Researchers explain why 10-second micro ads outperform longer spots
Short ads shown on TV increased website visits within five minutes of airing by 10-40% compared with longer advertisements.
Competition continues to grow in the Moroccan supermarket sector
Supeco’s rapid expansion shows how the discount model is becoming a bigger part of grocery retail in the North African country.
Study identifies harmful paradox behind well-meaning green efforts
Consumers reward visible eco-friendly additions such as reusable bottles, but give little credit to businesses that reduce or remove products.
President Mahama commissions expanded evaporated milk facility in Ghana
Nestlé believes Ghana will continue to play a leading role in the future of Central and West Africa.
Momentum beginning to build for 2027 ACCS gathering in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia’s marketers gather to celebrate hosting next year’s conference – but with an eye on the hard work ahead.
PwC report examines the future of African entertainment and media
Tech is creating more ways for audiences to connect, but lasting value will come from understanding the people behind those connections.
Unilever investment expands its Vaseline production capacity in Africa
The new production line at the historic Maydon Wharf facility in Durban will address growing international demand.
World MICE Awards in Jamaica honour best African and global achievers
Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and South Africa all feature in the African meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions awards.
AI won’t replace market research. But it will expose weak strategy
Much of the broader conversation around AI in market research assumes conditions that do not consistently exist across many African markets, writes Soyinka Witness.