Facelift for Apex Awards dinner

Chief executive of ACA, Zandile Nzalo, says this year's awards will be different in an effort to ensure the awards claim their rightful position as the prime prize to aim for in the industry, including a change of venue and encouraging marketers to support agencies when they put their entries together.

"We are proud to have Gidon Novick as the keynote speaker for the evening. We have also for the first time engaged a production team to put together what promises to be an excellent evening of celebration of the industry's main thrust 'creative effectiveness'," says Nzalo.

A past winner of Apex, Novick should give interesting insight into the benefits of effective advertising, as advertising agency Morrisjones & Co won a special prize for its kulula.com campaign in the 2004 Apex Awards for best integration with other marketing tools.

The biennial Apex Awards, modelled on the Institute of Practitioners for Advertising (IPA), were introduced by ACA in 1995 with the aim of rewarding advertising that works. The awards also emphasise advertising campaigns that demonstrate both strategic and creative effectiveness. This year there are a record 47 entries, varying from cars to dog food, fragrances to beverages, and broadcasting stations to cell phones; most come from the motor industry. Corporate sponsorship includes Sappi and SABC.

"We acknowledge the fact that an Apex entry requires in-depth information of campaigns which clients may feel is privileged. We want to encourage greater participation from marketers; entering Apex can be a rewarding experience to both agency and clients, as it will enhance their reputations and create an excellent showcase opportunity for the company and the brand," explains Nzalo.