The MAA has invited organisations to enter if they have — according to the awards — delivered exceptional customer experiences and enabled consistent brand and company growth over the last three years.

This MAA leadership award is presented to organisations that stand out from the rest.

Haydn Townsend, MAA council member and Accenture Interactive Lead for Africa, says that this accolade recognises organisations that embrace and develop a marketing mindset and marketing culture as key business drivers. This is while meeting the needs of their customers.

Townsend adds that Accenture Interactive has partnered with the MAA on this award as it 'embodies what the company aims to achieve, by contributing to and influencing the development of the South African marketing landscape', as it builds enduring brands and businesses.

According to the awards, entries must further demonstrate marketing successes across the spectrum of
  • brand planning
  • consumer insight
  • communication strategy, and
  • innovation and campaign activation.

This is in addition to the outstanding use of all elements of the marketing mix across brands and campaigns.

Nando's was a winner, according to the awards, that reflected all of these aspects in its 2020 / 1 entry.

Doug Place, chief marketing officer of Nando's IMEA, says, "The marketing team is front and centre in the development and decision-making of all triple bottom line acts, and we drive a strong marketing-centric culture across our organisation."

Place concludes, "Roughly 40% of all marketing effort is invested internally to ensure that Nando's employees — Nandocas — love their brand as much as their customers do."

Full entry criteria and details can be found here. Entries must be received by Monday, 31 January 2022.

For more information, visit www.marketingawards.co.za. You can also follow the MAA on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.