All businesses, big or small, will have the opportunity to showcase their work. The online entry platform is live, and available here.
All work that appeared online during the period of 18 November 2017 and Wednesday, 31 October 2018 is eligible, and early bird entries, as well as IAB South Africa members, are eligible for a 10% discount.
Jerry Mpufane, chairperson of the M&C Saatchi Abel JHB Group and jury president of the 2019 Bookmark Awards, says, "The Bookmark Awards is the ultimate accolade for excellence in digital."
"In my second year as the jury president for the Bookmarks, my goal is to find that true gem of a digital idea – that which has excited the end-user, and ultimately helped turn around the fortunes of a fledgling brand. This idea, and hopefully we find a few, must serve as a brilliant and proud industry case study."
Paula Hulley, IAB South Africa’s CEO, adds, "The Bookmark Awards celebrates the [industry] body’s key strategic pillar to 'build brands digitally', and the core values of creativity, innovation and excellence of the awards."
"The Bookmark Awards consistently strive to offer a host of practical examples of how marketers, agencies and publishers have executed digital campaigns to deliver sustainable impact on their business," adds Hulley.
Over the past year, the IAB has met with its members and councils in an aim to understand what improvements and learnings to take forward.
The 2019 Bookmarks committee, as a result, have expanded on the entry options within the categories to allow for a greater breadth of work to be showcased. For example, the categories within the 'Publishing' section of the competition have been adjusted.
Izak Minnaar, representative of the Publishing Council on the Bookmarks 2019 committee and editor of SABC News, adds, "The online publication sector is South Africa's fastest growing sector in terms of media reach, and the second biggest after broadcast audience."
"As a result, the Bookmarks' 'Publishing' categories have allowed for a bigger focus on excellence in online journalism. Judging will focus on online editorial treatment and content quality, and two new categories have been added: News Innovation and Best Online Journalist," Minnaar says.
Thandeka Mali, representative of Brand Council on the Bookmarks 2019 Committee and acquisitions marketing strategy lead at Showmax South Africa, says, "The hardest, yet most exciting, challenge for any marketer is to be a catalyst in turning real business problems into memorable effective creative magic – it is these tiny pixel-like strides that move our industry forward."
"No matter the size of your brand, the IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards is a fantastic way to motivate digital creative excellence internally in your company," Mali adds.
For more information, visit www.iabsa.net. You can also follow the IAB South Africa on Facebook or on Twitter.