Commenting on the overall Brand and Agency of the year winners, Sarah Utermark, country director of MMA SA, says, "These two recipients demonstrated exceptional prowess in purpose-driven marketing, marketing impact and experience technology. While their creative executions were stellar, it's their tangible business outcomes that truly set them apart."

The brand says that its success at the SMARTIES Awards extends beyond the Brand of the Year industry accolade, with the retailer securing eight additional awards for its:

  • '#PEPFinds'
  • PEP Changing Stations, and
  • PEP mini Netball initiatives.

Notable among these are Gold honours for:

  • Community Building
  • Diversity & Inclusivity
  • Small Budget
  • Big Impact
  • Social Media Marketing, Purpose / Activism, and 
  • Creator Economy.

Winners were selected amid a competitive pool of 270 unique entries submitted by 52 agencies and brands.

Beyers van der Merwe, PEP chief marketing executive says, "This is a moment filled with immense pride and gratitude as the leader of this exceptional team — and for our agency partners who demonstrated unwavering collaboration and commitment to excellence. It has been immensely rewarding being recognised for outstanding achievements in true purpose driven work."

The MMA South Africa SMARTIES Awards programme is renowned for recognising leaders, brands, agencies and tech providers that pioneer new approaches in modern marketing and deliver significant business impact through its marketing endeavours.

The PEP accolades at the MMA South Africa SMARTIES Awards include the following:

Industry Award

  • Brand of the Year 

Marketing Impact Awards (Gold)

  • Community Building — PEP mini Netball
  • Diversity & Inclusivity — PEP mini Netball
  • Small Budget, Big Impact — '#PEPfinds'
  • Social Media Marketing — '#PEPfinds', and
  • Creator Economy — '#PEPfinds'.

Marketing Impact Awards (Silver)

  • Community Building — PEP Changing Stations 
  • Social Impact — PEP Changing Stations, and
  • Purpose / Activism — PEP Changing Stations.

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*Image courtesy of contributor