Nando's has been confirmed as the Leadership category sponsor for the 2025 awards season, says The Mark Awards.

"Strong leaders build strong teams," says Jessica Wheeler, Marketing Director for Nando's South Africa.

"Strong teams feel secure enough to experiment, test, innovate and even fail. While many leaders rely on their own expertise and experience, the best ones use that knowledge to empower others to make bold, confident choices. If we know anything, bold moves drive effective marketing and advertising. To create more work that truly works, we need more leaders who build and guide — not just those who do," Wheeler adds.

"Recognising leadership at all levels is critical," Wheeler says. "Young professionals — or even those young at heart — need milestones to aspire to. It doesn't help to only celebrate excellence at the top, as that can feel like a distant goal. Recognising those in the middle of their journey keeps them motivated. Marketing is tough, especially now, so let's give kudos to everyone who leads in their own way."

"A new generation of leaders is bringing fresh ideas and new approaches, and our industry could benefit from that. While it's important to honour established leaders whose names are already in lights, it's just as vital to celebrate the emerging leaders who will drive the industry forward," Wheeler adds.

The Leadership category will award top brand and agency leaders and has introduced a Rising Star category to recognise emerging talent in advertising, marketing and industry innovation, the awards says.

The awards adds that it will also name an Agency (small, medium and large) and Brand of the Year. Designed to celebrate the full spectrum of modern marketing — from strategy and innovation to experience, design and leadership — The Mark Awards highlight the collaboration necessary to create impactful, medium-agnostic campaigns and projects.

The Leadership jury will be led by Co-Presidents Koo Govender, CEO of Publicis Groupe Africa and Kagiso Musi, Group MD of Meta Media, the awards says.

The panel includes:

  • Sagren Pather, Executive Head of Marketing, Wealth and Investment at Standard Bank
  • Vaughan Croeser, VP of Marketing at SAB (AbInBev)
  • Luca Gallarelli, Group CEO at TBWA\ South Africa, and
  • Jacques Burger, Co-Founder and Group CEO at The Up&Up Group.

The awards concludes that entries are open, for submission guidelines and criteria, click here.

For more information, visit www.themarkawards.com. You can also follow MarkLives on Facebook, LinkedIn, or on X. 

*Image courtesy of contributor