The AdFocus Awards 2022 shortlist has been determined. Commenting on this year’s judging process, Faheem Chaudhry, partner & MD of M&C Saatchi Abel and this year’s AdFocus Awards chairperson reveals that, “The final round of judging was a day of robust debate, discussion and analysis.”
“Despite global macro challenges, local economic challenges, and a fair number of industry challenges, the top agencies demonstrated how they were able to imagine, innovate and ultimately grow their businesses and those of their clients dramatically,” he says.
The finalists for the 2022 AdFocus Awards are:
Small Agency of the Year
- Duke
- Rapt Creative
- Think Creative
Medium Agency of the Year
No finalists are announced for this category as there was a clear winner significantly ahead that will be announced on the night.
Large Agency of the Year
- Grey
- Joe Public United
- M&C Saatchi Abel
- TBWA Hunt Lascaris
- VMLY&R
Public Relations Agency of the Year
- Eclipse Communications
- Magna Carta Reputation Management Consultants
- Razor PR – an M&C Saatchi company
Specialist Agency of the Year
- Levergy – M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment
- MscSports
Group of the Year
- M&C Saatchi Abel Group
- TBWA Group
Partnership of the Year
- Joe Public United & Nedbank
- TBWA South Africa & MTN
- TBWA South Africa & Spar
African Impact Award
- Grey
- TBWA South Africa
Adaptability
- Grey
- Happy Friday
Transformation Award
- Nahana Communications Group
- Yellowwood
Network Media Agency of the Year
No finalists are announced for this category as there was a clear winner significantly ahead that will be announced on the night.
Digital Agency and Independent Media Agency
There were no category finalists in the Digital Agency of the Year or Independent Media Agency of the Year as the jury felt that no entrants met the minimum threshold. As a result, no awards will be given in these categories this year.
According to Chaudhry, “The rate of growth some agencies enjoyed was exceptional, as was the level of the product being produced by them while their efforts to drive transformation, diversity and inclusion through their organisations was admirable.”
What was also very encouraging, he adds, was the massive increase in entries this year, further proving just how good a year some agencies had, despite challenging conditions.
This year’s AdFocus jury is made up of industry leaders from across through-the-line, digital, tech, media and PR agencies as well as marketing directors and industry consultants. They are Faheem Chaudhry, Partner & MD, M&C Saatchi Abel; Gillian Rightford, founder AdTherapy; Lebo Madiba, founder Powerhouse PR; Luca Gallarelli, Group CEO, TBAW / The Disruption Company; Warren Moss, founder and CEO Demographica; Zanele Osman, MD Duke; Firdous Osman, MD, Saatchi & Saatchi; Nimay Parekh, chief digital officer, King James, part of Accenture Song; Merissa Himraj, CEO, Wavemaker; Wandile Collins, founder and chief strategic officer, Black Swan; Sharon Keith, marketing director, Heineken; Ana Carrapichano, founder and owner, Mediology.
The winners of the 2022 AdFocus Awards will be announced on November 30 2022. For more information on the awards visit www.adfocus.co.za
