This person needs to have consistently delivered innovative marketing that had a positive impact on business results and proactively drove the industry forward.

Doug Mattheus, adjunct professor of marketing at the Nelson Mandela University and chairperson of the Marketer of the Year selection committee, says the committee has its work cut out for it in deciding 2022's winner from these five incredible marketers.

"The adjudication panel has requested multiple written submissions and conducted online interviews with the nominees and their colleagues in order to better understand these marketers and their work. Whether a winner or a finalist, these five individuals are some of South Africa's best marketers and should all be congratulated for producing outstanding work," adds Mattheus.

Mattheus says that this is a tightly contested MAA category and ultimately the winner will be the marketer that best demonstrates this 2022's theme, 'marketing that means business'.

Gugu Ntuli, GE of corporate affairs and marketing at the SABC (the institution presenting 2022's Marketing Achievement Awards), says, "The MAAs are anchored in business strategy and have come to be respected as an influential platform showcasing South African marketing efforts as crucial contributors to business success. As such, the Marketer of the Year nominees will also be judged on demonstrable business results within the context of marketing as a strategic discipline."

Ivan Moroke, CEO of Kantar's insight division and current chairperson of the MAAs, adds that this award is not only one of the most sought after in the industry, but it is also vital to the overall objectives of the MAAs themselves.

"Ultimately, the vision of the MAAs is to build marketing's stature in business, help shape the industry and promote marketing as an illustrious career choice. By highlighting visionary individuals whose marketing skills have generated a significant impact within their businesses, the Marketer of the Year Award does just that," says Moroke.

In no particular order, the finalists are:
  • Firoze Bhorat, chief marketing officer at Discovery Group
  • Tinyiko Mageza, executive head marketing at V&A Waterfront
  • Sydney Mbhele, chief executive of brand at Sanlam Group
  • Asha Patel, head of marketing at Google South Africa and head of B2B marketing for sub-Saharan Africa, and
  • Nontokozo Madonsela, group CMO at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings.
The Marketer of the Year Award winner and other category winners will be announced on Wednesday, 13 July at a live stream awards presentation. To register for the event individuals can click here

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