Let’s make magic in the playground of digital marketing
As we look ahead to the 2024 Bookmark Awards, hosted by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) South Africa, we see not just an event but a celebration of the audacity and imagination that drive our industry forward.
These awards are more than accolades; they showcase how technology and creativity converge to spark change, engage audiences in profoundly personal and dynamic ways and drive business results.
The Finalists’ Showcase: New Life
Last year, the introduction of the Finalists’ Showcase breathed new life into the awards, transforming it into a gathering that allowed us to dive into the creative souls of the finalists before the main event and gain a deeper understanding of how they merged creativity with achieving ROI for their clients and brands.
This was not just an addition to the ceremony but a reinvention of engagement, bringing the energy and passion of the creators directly to the audience.
This year, we look forward to this added layer of interactivity that promises to turn each presentation into a story, each story into an experience.
The industry’s embrace of Gen AI
At the heart of this year’s excitement is the industry’s embrace of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
This is not AI as you know it but AI that dances to the tune of human creativity, elevating personalisation and making every interaction feel crafted just for you.
We expect this year’s entries to dazzle us with their ingenious use of AI, demonstrating its potential not just as a back-office tool but as a front-line creative partner.
We look forward to entries that showcase AI’s ability to weave narratives that are not only precise in their targeting but also enchanting in their execution.
Richer, more responsive customer interactions
AI is also setting the stage for richer, more responsive customer interactions. As digital campaigns become more adaptive, they also become more alive — capable of evolving in real-time to audience reactions and feedback.
This dynamic interaction is the pulse of modern marketing, and we cannot wait for it to be prominently displayed at the BMAs, showing us the future of our industry in real-time.
Iindustry’s shift towards more focused, impact-driven events
The streamlined ceremony format introduced last year will continue, respecting our time while keeping the celebration alive.
This approach mirrors our industry’s shift towards more focused, impact-driven events that deliver excitement without the drag.
An arena buzzing with potential
As we prepare for the 2024 Bookmark Awards, we are stepping into an arena buzzing with potential.
Integrating cutting-edge AI into our creative processes is not just a step forward; it’s a leap into a future where technology and human creativity fuse to create marketing magic that drives business results.
This year’s awards will also deepen our commitment to ethical practices in digital marketing.
As our tools grow more powerful, our responsibility grows, too, ensuring our innovations bring value to businesses and society at large.
Beyond the screens and data-driven campaigns, the BMAs remain a tribute to the human spirit — the daring, the dreams and the sheer delight of creating something new.
This is where we celebrate the stories that touch hearts and move markets, crafted by individuals who dare to think differently.
Technology blended with the human touch
The 2024 Bookmark Awards are more than just a ceremony; they are a testament to the thrilling possibilities produced when we blend technology with the human touch.
As we look forward, let’s ready ourselves to be inspired, to be challenged and to be wowed.
Let’s make magic, let’s make memories and let’s make the most of the playground that is digital marketing.
The 2024 Bookmark Awards and Bookmark Awards Finalists’ Showcase will take place on Thursday, 15 August 2024.
For more information and to reserve your tickets, visit the the Bookmarks.
About Khensani Nobanda
Khensani Nobanda is the IAB South Africa Bookmark Awards jury president and group executive for group marketing and corporate affairs at Nedbank
