The inaugural awards ceremony will be held as part of the African Public Relations Association’s annual conference in Morocco on Thursday, 11 May.

Burson-Marsteller Africa is a finalist in three categories for the EMEA SABRE Awards, the winners of which will be announced in London on Tuesday, 23 May.

The SABRE Awards, sponsored by the industry trade publication known as The Holmes Report, have a 25-year heritage with separate competitions in North America, EMEA, the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and South Asia.

The winners from these regional competitions are eligible for the Global SABRE Awards, which recognise the best PR campaigns from more than 5 000 entries around the world.

The Burson-Marsteller Africa network bagged four Gold African SABRE Awards and is a finalist in the Platinum Award for Best in Show with the other following nominations:

  • Eastern Africa – Gold Winner: ‘My #ColgateSmilefie’ campaign, Colgate-Palmolive with Burson-Marsteller Africa (Kenya and South Africa);
  • Public Education – Gold Winner: ‘Be a Buddy, Not a Bully’ with Cartoon Network/Buddy Network and Turner Broadcasting with Burson-Marsteller Africa (South Africa);
  • Special Event – Gold Winner: Lion Guard /‘Return of the Roar’, MultiChoice with Engage Burson-Marsteller (Kenya);
  • Financial and Professional Services – Gold Winner: ‘NexGenFactor and Fishing for Talent’, PwC with Blast Burson-Marsteller (Mauritius); and
  • Platinum Award for Best in Show – Finalist: ‘NexGenFactor and Fishing for Talent’, PwC with Blast Burson-Marsteller (Mauritius).


Robyn de Villiers, chairperson and CEO of Burson-Marsteller Africa, says, “We are thrilled to have won four Gold Awards and six Certificates of Excellence, and to have one Platinum finalist nomination. I am very proud of these world-class, results-driven campaigns that have been executed by the Burson-Marsteller Africa network in partnership with our clients. Being recognised and awarded at the inaugural SABRE Awards Africa is an honour, and reinforces the results that can be achieved when we combine world-class strategic counsel, with cutting edge, integrated communications. We are delighted that our work is also being recognised in the larger EMEA region, as we are finalists in three categories for the EMEA SABRE Awards. Watch this space.”

In addition to the four Gold Awards, the Burson-Marsteller Africa network was awarded six Certificates of Excellence for the following:

  • Marketing an existing product to consumers – Creating #POWFACTOR for PPG with Turner Broadcasting and Burson-Marsteller Africa (South Africa);
  • Technology – Multi-Country Brand Building across Africa: SES with Burson-Marsteller Africa (Pan-Africa);
  • Corporate Image – Multi-Country Brand Building across Africa: SES with Burson-Marsteller Africa (Pan-Africa);
  • Measurement and Evaluation – Sala Puleesa Consumer Promotion: Crown Beverages Limited (Pepsi) with Burson-Marsteller (Uganda);
  • Crisis Management – UEFA Champions League: Drink & Peel Promotion, Crown Beverages Limited (Pepsi) with Burson-Marsteller (Uganda); and
  • Eastern Africa – Sala Puleesa Consumer Promotion: Crown Beverages Limited (Pepsi) with Burson-Marsteller (Uganda).


Burson-Marsteller Africa has branded operations in 36 countries, and operations in 53 of the 55 countries through a network which has been built up over 25 years. It boasts over 300 consultants across Africa, who offer connectivity, local insight, and market relevant strategies in each of their countries.

For more information, visit www.burson-marsteller.com. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.