"Over the last few years, there's been no shortage of headlines confirming the dramatic shift in agency structures and client expectations — thanks in the main to digital disruption and telecommunications, business transformation and the agenda of diversifying the industry," says 2020 / 2021 AdFocus Awards chairperson Tumi Rabanye.

"Now with COVID-19, agencies too must adapt and try to embrace the opportunity with enthusiasm," adds Rabanye.

The awards say that it acknowledges that conditions that agencies have been operating in since March 2020 are highly unusual. "This has required an agile approach and flexible response to client needs, says Rabanye.

"As the concern, and dare I say anxiety levels, around COVID-19 infections and the ramifications increase, the marketing communications industry and community is not exempt, with COVID-19 demanding that agencies show what they are made of," Rabanye says.

The Financial Mail AdFocus Adaptability Award will recognise how agencies have successfully adapted to this new paradigm. "The agency that wins the award will demonstrate how it has risen above the panic and disruption of an unusual year," says Rabanye.

"If anything, the core reason for having the 2020 Agency Adaptability Award is to acknowledge and shine a light on some the proactive solutions the industry is putting in place to just keep going," adds Rabanye.

"If nothing else, we hope what comes out of this category will be a catalytic conversation around how we can emerge on the other side, undoubtedly changed, but stronger and together," concludes Rabanye. 

Award categories

Advertising and media agencies can also enter the usual categories offered by AdFocus.

The 2020 Agency Awards
  • Large Advertising Agency of the Year
  • Medium Advertising Agency of the Year
  • Small Advertising Agency of the Year
  • Network Media Agency of the Year
  • Independent Media Agency of the Year
  • Public Relations Agency of the Year
  • Specialist Agency of the Year, and
  • Overall Agency of the Year
The 2020 Special Awards
  • Lifetime Achievement
  • Industry Leader of the Year
  • Student of the Year
  • Shapeshifter
  • Partnership of the Year, awarded jointly to an agency and client
  • African Impact Award, and
  • Transformation Award

Advertising awards jury 2020

2020 has seen a number of new jury members that have joined the Financial Mail AdFocus Awards in the main jury.

"I am personally excited by the diversity of skillsets and experience 2020's jury offers and I recognise that the sum of us is absolutely greater than our parts and confident that we will deliver positive impact through the 2020 Financial Mail Ad Focus Awards," says Rabanye.

First-term jury members:
  • Lehlohonolo (Hloni) Mokema: lead communications specialist for people and culture, Absa
  • Faheem Chaudhry: MD, M&C Saatchi Abel JHB
  • Thabiet Allie: CEO, TurnUp Music
  • Wendy Bergsteedt: group head marketing, Coronation Fund Manager
  • Dr Beate Stiehler-Mulder: senior lecturer, marketing and stakeholder engagement at the department of marketing management, University of Johannesburg
  • Lebo Motswenyane: founder, Lucky No.8
  • Alistair Mokoena: country director, Google
  • Dali Tembo: MD, Instant Grass
  • Haydn Townsend: MD, Accenture Interactive
  • Sindiswa Masuta: strategy business director, Grey Group
  • Jay Badza: founder, Orchard on 25
  • Lesego Kotane: MD, King James Johanneburg
  • Mpume Ngobese: MD, Joe Public Connect
Financial Mail AdFocus Awards main jury jurors who have confirmed their second term on the jury include:
  • Nontokozo Madonsela: group CMO, Momentum
  • Sibusiso Sithole: co-founder and ECD, The Odd Number
  • Pride Maunatlala: head of marketing, TFG, Foschini Division, Foschini
  • Oresti Patricios: CEO, Ornico Group
  • Nkgabiseng Motau: co-founder and chief creative officer, thinkcreativeafrica
  • Mmapula Mokoena: head of marketing, Yalu South Africa
  • Michael Oelschig: MD, Wunderman Thompson South Africa
  • Camilla Clerke: ECD, HelloFCB
Agencies can register on the AdFocus website. Entries for the advertising awards close on Monday, 31 August and the media awards close on Monday, 24 August.

For more information, visit www.adfocus.co.za or contact [email protected].