The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) South Africa has announced the highly anticipated winners of the 2025 Bookmarks Awards, honouring excellence in digital innovation, creativity, and impact.
Hosted by media personality Sne Dladla, the event drew a high-calibre audience of leaders from advertising, publishing, technology, and brand marketing sectors. This year’s competition showcased an unprecedented level of mastery across platforms, channels, publishing, campaigns, emerging technologies, and craft.
Ogilvy Dominates with Multiple Wins
Ogilvy emerged as one of the evening’s dominant forces, clinching multiple gold accolades for standout campaigns such as:
- KFC South Africa’s KFC Sauce Code, KFC Block Booked, and Your Ma Se KFC
- Cadbury’s Real Mzansi Names
Other gold-winning agencies included:
- TBWA\ Hunt Lascaris: Sloom NapBot and City Lodge Hotels Save Our Stay (SOS)
- Juno Media: Chicken Licken – It’s the little things that satisfy us most
- Rogerwilco: Stellenbosch University – The S.E.O in G.E.O
- Joe Public: Nedbank – Bank Your Time
- Media24: Daily Sun – A Re Buwe, 2024 May Elections Coverage and Video News Reporting
“These awards showcase the incredible talent and impact driving South Africa’s digital landscape. Our winners are setting universal benchmarks, proving that digital marketing is not only growing in scale and skill, but creating work that competes on a global stage.”
said Chris Borain, Executive Director at IAB South Africa
A Historic First: Outstanding Individual Impact in Digital
For the first time in its history, the Bookmarks introduced the Outstanding Individual Impact in Digital Award, honouring an individual whose vision and leadership have shaped the industry.
The inaugural recipient, Jarred Cinman, has been a pioneer in digital since the 1990s, co-founding one of South Africa’s earliest digital agencies. Cinman has been instrumental in the growth of the IAB and the Bookmarks, while mentoring young talent, championing ethical leadership, and driving measurable business impact.
Front Row Initiative Welcomes 15 Young Talents
The IAB SA Education Council also celebrated the 2025 Front Row delegates, welcoming 15 young industry hopefuls for a year-long mentorship programme.
Over the next 12 months, these delegates will gain exclusive access to key events including the Nedbank IMC Conference, SMARTIES Awards, New Gen Awards, and Assegai Awards. They will also participate in workshops, dialogues, and networking opportunities designed to accelerate their careers in digital marketing and advertising.
Looking Ahead: Digital Rankings 2025
The journey doesn’t end with the awards. The Bookmarks Digital Rankings will be revealed later this year, celebrating agencies and brands that consistently deliver high-quality, award-winning work. Winners are encouraged to update their credits via the entry portal to ensure all contributors are duly recognized.
The 2025 IAB Bookmarks once again highlighted the power of South Africa’s digital creativity, innovation, and leadership – inspiring both established and emerging talent to aim higher and push boundaries in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
A full list of winners is available on the IAB South Africa website.
