AMASA Awards

AMASA, The Advertising and Media Association of South Africa, champions the industry by focusing on grooming bright young talent and bringing like-minded people together through networking, forums and online conversations.

As an institution, AMASA is passionate about media innovation, which forms the theme across its chapters. Every year, they incentivise media innovation by commending great work through the AMASA Awards, with the overall winner receiving the coveted Roger Garlick Grand Prix.

The AMASA awards rolled into town again on Thursday the 12th of October, giving praise to the advertising industry’s elite and extremely talented. The award ceremony is unlike any other organisation alike.

The evening’s proceedings were kicked off with by master of ceremonies Al Prodgers who was supported by funny-man renowned comedian and ventriloquist Conrad Koch and a keynote speech delivered by Wayne Bishop.

Wayne Bishop, the AMASA chairman describes the awards as “groundbreaking”, he says he initially came up with the idea from other award ceremonies alike however, he wanted to elevate the standard of the awards and how they are awarded. Which is why, in any category the shortlisted can only win gold as opposed to other ceremonies where nominees stand a chance to win gold, silver or bronze. The judges can, however, decide that they will give out a “Highly Commended” award which can also be seen as a “If we HAVE to give it to someone it would go to…”

Bishop says it is structured this way because “One should always strive to be the best. The only one worth mentioning. You either get it or you don’t.” which is evident when in some of the categories there wasn’t a gold prize awarded because the panel of judges reached a consensus that none of the nominees produced work worthy of a gold award or the competition is so high that it would be unfair to award it to one project.

The On-Point Vikings who were nominated twice for Nedbank’s Ring Of Steel and the Nedbank Reimagination Project at Design Indaba were dressed to the nines for the night of glitz and gold.

The night’s big winner, taking home the coveted Roger Garlick Grand Prix, was Halo Advertising with for their impressive work on Jacaranda, More Music You Love. The campaign saw a live stream flash mob at Illovo Junction lip synching live radio play which was displayed on the big screen at the intersection on Oxford road and Corlett drive.

The vikings went away with a win for their collaborative work with M&C Saatchi Abel for The Reimagination Project for Nedbank.

After the ceremony, comedy, and three-course meal, there were no complaints about the event – put together by the lovely people at AMASA alongside sponsors Primedia and Kaya FM 95.9. All in all, the night was On Point.