WPP creates a new kind of talent pipeline designed for the AI era
Ad giant says Hex provides a solution to one of the creative industry’s most significant challenges: the AI talent gap.
A.M.C. MEMBER NEWS
Stage is set for announcement of IMM Excellence Awards winners
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
This year’s top achievers in South Africa’s marketing and supply chain disciplines are being honoured at a glittering gala event in Sandton.
Experts across their relevant fields of marketing and supply chain management had a difficult task when it came to selecting finalists for this year’s IMM Excellence Awards.
The awards are set to be presented at the IMM Institute’s Annual Gala Dinner being held at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg on Friday. The IMM Institute is one of the founder members of the African Marketing Confederation.
“For our awards this year, we received 57 nominations from marketing and supply chain professionals across various industries – from those who are just starting out in their careers to others who have been in the industry for a lifetime,” says institute CEO, Irene Gregory.
She explains that the panel of expert judges – specialising in marketing, advertising, supply chain management and business development – thoroughly evaluated the candidates, recognising the exceptional talent displayed by South African professionals in these fields.
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels
The following professionals and teams have been shortlisted in their respective categories:
Marketing Student of the Year
Syon Roopchand
Deidré Summers
Sria Roopchand
Supply Chain Student of the Year
Rutendo Gwese
Gugu Nkala
Emerging Marketer of the Year:
Amy Cowell
Liat Madinane
Vusumuzi Radebe
Marketer of the Year:
Erné Ankiewicz
Happy Ngidi
Supply Chain Professional of the Year:
Phumzile Sokhela
Lethlohonolo Mpshe
Sinethemba Mbelu
Corporate Marketing Team of the Year:
JSE
ISB Optimus
Proudly SA
Entrepreneur of the Year:
Alisha Lalbeharie
Liziwe Nompumza
Mitheel Ramdaw
“We have a wonderful selection of talent in our country and I look forward to seeing who will scoop honours in each category at our dinner, which offers professionals in their fields the opportunity to mingle with an array of talented people in both marketing and supply chain,” says Gregory.
In addition to the awards, the dinner offers an excellent opportunity to network, while being entertained by Simply For Entertainment. Carte Blanche’s Govan Whittles will MC the event. Award-winning marketing and media entrepreneur, Pat Mahlangu, is to deliver the keynote address.
The IMM Institute offers a wide range of value-added products and services for marketing professionals who are Associates in either an individual or corporate capacity.
It has more recently incorporated the discipline of supply chain into its community and training offerings – recognising its critical role in modern business operations and its strong connection to marketing functions.
Africa-focused coffee shop chain hits milestone of 400 stores
Vida e caffè believes its growth highlights the increasing ability of African consumer brands to scale regionally.
Burger outlet gets smashed and squashed for new product launch
Innovative launch of new smash burger sees an entire pop-up restaurant ‘smashed’ for the occasion – from glasses to seats.
Are vague claims good for your brand? Researchers say the answer’s ‘yes’
‘Best pies in town’. ‘Our city’s favourite hotel’. Unsubstantiated claims, but academics find this puffery does add bottom-line value.
Home-delivery brand delivers SA culture to Mexico ahead of World Cup
Checkers Sixty60 ad campaign features a playful celebration of cultural crossovers as delivery rider takes to Mexico City’s streets.
Bolt Food Kenya joins forces with supermarket chain in strategic shift
Bolt moves beyond restaurant delivery into a multi-category convenience platform encompassing groceries, household items and other goods.
Current issue of our AMC magazine brings latest news and insights for Africa’s marketers
Issue 1 2026 of Strategic Marketing for Africa, the magazine for deep-thinking African marketing professionals, is available online and in print.
Beer brand encourages soccer fans to ‘Work From Bar’ during World Cup
Stella Artois has come up with a campaign that recognises a problem for local fans: most weekday games happen during working hours.
Can marketers fully capitalise on what the World Cup has to offer?
Campaigns that stand out will give audiences a reason to interact with the brand, beyond simply noticing it.
US casual dining brand unveils ambitious plans for the Kenyan market
TGI Fridays, which operates almost 400 restaurants worldwide, will debut in the SSA market with its first Nairobi outlet in November 2026.
Nominations for 2026 African Marketing Confederation Awards close soon
Whether you have pioneered a ground-breaking campaign or witnessed a peer redefine the industry, the AMC is inviting you to step forward now.
