Modern Marketing attended the Loeries Grand Prix gathering at Rockets in Bryanston on 12 May. The gathering, which featured a small group of selected guests, celebrated and reflected on the power of creative excellence. This was also used as an opportunity to hand out the Grand Prix trophies to South African winners announced during Loeries Creative Week 2020.
Fran Luckin, Loeries Chairperson, said, ‘It’s wonderful that we are here, in person, celebrating great work. If you look back at the body of work that came out of 2020 and at the work created for the Grand Prix’s as a snapshot of 2020, years from now when our memories have faded and we can’t really remember what the pandemic was like, we can look back at this work and it won’t remind us of a pandemic, it will remind us that creativity thrives under pressure. The work created in 2020 is a testament to the fighting spirit of creative people in South Africa, both on the marketing and agency side. This beautiful and creative work is untainted by a pandemic and untainted by doom and gloom, and that for me is worth celebrating.’
Preetesh Sewraj, CEO of the Loeries, said, ‘My key goal is that The Loeries has to work for everyone. While it is prestigious and it means so much, it also has to be profitable. If you are a brand and you win a Loerie, it is an absolute indication that you are creating work that resonates with consumers. It also builds your brand equity, future proofs you and sets you in a really great direction to ensure that you get the sales you deserve. An award shows the amazing work that you can achieve. If you are an agency and you win an award, or a Grand Prix, what you are really saying to brands is that they should work with you because you can produce the best work that is out there and that makes a difference. The Grand Prix’s represent the collective effort of brands, agencies, production houses and everyone who is involved in being able to touch the lives of consumers in a positive way and a way that makes them want to hear more and give up their precious time.’
‘I know these are tough times and that Covid has presented many challenges to businesses. I’m going to ensure that The Loeries works as hard as we can for you, your business and the industry, and to also ensure that we can bring in amazing talent into our industry and make a difference,’ added Sewraj.
List of 2020 South African Grand Prix winners:
– For Out of Home – Ambient: First For Women and FoxP2 Advertising for the 16 Days Of Light Campaign. (Regional Agency Group: Dentsu Aegis Network).
– For Print Crafts – Art direction: Novomed Allergy Clinic and Impact BBDO for Hidden Allergy Campaign.
– For SA Non-English Radio Station Commercials: BBC Studios and The Odd Number for Kasi Sensei Campaign.
– For Film – Branded Content Film – Single: Nedbank and Joe Public for Secrets.
Also receiving their award was agency of the year for 2020 and Regional Agency Group for 2020, Joe Public United. Boniswa Pezisa, Net#work BBDO’s Group Chief Executive, received the Loeries Hall of Fame inductee award, while Chicken Licken’s Managing Director and Chief Marketer, Chantal Sombonos-Van Tonder, received the 2020 Marketing Leadership and Innovation Award. The 2020 Brand of the Year was also Chicken Licken.
The Loeries encompass every area of brand communication, and winning a Loerie is considered a testament of excellence. There is still time to enter this year’s awards – entries close on 31st May 2021. Enter here. Modern Marketing is an official media partner of the Loeries.
