Effie Awards finalists earn points toward the global Effie Index and attaining finalist status ensures that agency and client partnerships are globally recognised for having implemented campaigns that delivered against business objectives, says Effie Awards.

This year, a total of 78 entries across 39 categories were adjudicated by a highly experienced and distinguished panel, representative of the broader industry, says the awards. 

According to Effie, jury members were drawn from a variety of disciplines including:

  • strategy
  • digital
  • creative
  • research
  • media, and
  • marketing.

Tasked with reading through and adjudicating the cases submitted in the 2024 programme, the jury reached an agreement on those campaigns that delivered against marketing effectiveness and were deemed worthy of being named as finalists.

All finalists will proceed to the second round of judging and are in the running to be awarded a highly coveted Effie Award, says the awards.

The 2024 Effie Awards South Africa marks the fourth edition of this highly respected programme, which continues to grow from strength to strength. Effie says that 2024 witnessed a substantial increase in total submissions from a record number of unique entrants drawn from agencies representing advertising and marketing, PR and media verticals and client side. 

This diversity underscores the increasing emphasis being placed on marketing effectiveness, reflecting the industry's commitment to recognising impactful and strategically sound campaigns, adds Effie.

Gillian Rightford, executive director at the ACA, says, "Achieving finalist status in the Effie Awards is a significant accomplishment. It not only highlights the creative and strategic prowess of the agencies and their clients but also underscores their ability to drive tangible business results. Being recognised as a finalist is, in itself, a valuable marker of success and a testament to the effectiveness of their campaigns."

According to Effie, the 2024 Effie Awards finalists are:

"In today's increasingly fragmented marketing environment, recognising and 'Awarding Ideas that Work®' is more important than ever. The Effie Awards play a crucial role in highlighting campaigns that not only meet business objectives but also cut through the noise to reach consumers effectively," says Rightford. 

"As we look forward to the gala in October, we anticipate not only celebrating the success of our winners but also honouring the resilience and creativity of our entire industry. This celebration is a testament to the enduring power of impactful advertising and the shared commitment to excellence within our community," adds Rightford.

The Effie Awards South Africa concludes that it is hosted by the ACA and proudly sponsored by:

  • Nedbank
  • GIB Insurance
  • SAB
  • Investec
  • PepsiCo, and
  • Unilever.

For more information, visit www.effieawards.co.za or www.acasa.co.za. You can also follow Effie South Africa on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor