Through the Marketing Excellence Awards, the IMM seeks to recognise contributions to the industry by bold brands and marketers who display thought leadership and commitment to excellence in the art of marketing.

A committee of South Africa's top business and marketing executives, as well as marketing education specialists, have identified these individuals, brands and businesses that will be honoured at the Marketing Excellence Awards gala dinner to be held at The Venue in Melrose Arch on the evening of Friday, 8 November.

Irene Gregory, CEO of the IMM Institute and organiser of the event, has congratulated all the finalists.

"The finalists have received the endorsement of their peers, who have not only acknowledged their outstanding work but also their inspiration to others in the industry to strive for excellence," adds Gregory.

The 2023 finalists are as follows:

Marketer of the Year: sponsored by IMM Graduate School, the award celebrates the individual marketer who has demonstrated excellence in their field.
  • Alistair Mokoena, country director for Google Africa
  • Chantal Sombonos - van Tonder, CEO of Chicken Licken
  • Andisa Ntsubane, managing executive of brand, marketing and communications Africa for Vodacom Group, and
  • Firoze Bhorat, chief marketing officer at Discovery.

Emerging Marketer of the Year: sponsored by BrandX, the award recognises the rising star in marketing who has shown exceptional promise and potential.
  • Charles Poulter, account director for SWM Communications
  • Tanya James, business owner at The MarketHear, and
  • Pat Mahlangu, CEO of Lerato Agency, Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards and Pat On Brands.

Marketing Student of the Year: sponsored by UXi Private Education, the award acknowledges the outstanding achievements of marketing students who are the future of our industry.
  • Dhashika Ramgolam, an honours student at the IMM Graduate School
  • Justin Beswick, an honours student at Vega School, and
  • Nico van der Westhuizen, a first-year student at the IMM Graduate School.

Corporate Marketing Team of the Year: sponsored by BrandSA, the award honours the collaborative efforts of a high-performing marketing team within a corporation.
  • Old Mutual Insure
  • Deloitte Africa Consulting, and
  • Tiger Brands - Albany.

Lifetime Achievement: sponsored by SAB (ABINBEV), the award celebrates a seasoned professional's lifelong contribution to the field.

This winner will be announced at the awards gala evening.

Angela Bruwer, academic head of IMM Graduate School and also a judge, says, "Classic marketing strategies are no longer enough to move businesses forward, and today's marketers must hone their technology skills to drive their own competitiveness and that of their clients."

To this end, the 2023 IMM Marketing Conference is in 2023 venturing into the realm of AI and exploring its potential in marketing.

Gregory concludes, "The evolving landscape of influencer marketing will also be explored, and we will redefine its impact. In addition, delegates will learn how to navigate the intricacies of user-generated content. Striking a balance between its vibrant energy and potential risks is critical."

According to the awards, attendees will enjoy an array of practical case studies, panel sessions and insights from international and local industry giants as they share what it means to be a marketer in 2023.

The 2023 IMM Conference takes place at the IMM Graduate School in Parktown, Johannesburg on Friday, 8 November and Saturday, 9 November.

A highlight of the conference will be the first day's Brand SA session, which will be looking at ways to position the South African brand. It commences with the keynote presentation titled 'Creating a Compelling Brand Story for South Africa: Unleashing its Global Appeal', followed by a review of global trends and innovations in destination marketing, and a panel discussion.

For more information, visit www.imminstitute.co.za or contact [email protected]. You can also follow the IMM Conference on Facebook.