The increasing popularity of the MOST Awards was evident by the fact that by close of business on awards day, there was still a waiting list of over 80 people hoping to get a seat at the event, held at Montecasino.
“They’ve got a life of their own,” said publisher of The Media and TheMediaOnline, Sandra Gordon. “We had a record number of entries this year, which is something to be proud of. We ask for your input (media owners and media agencies) to keep the event relevant.”
Her comments were born out by Brad Aigner of Freshly Ground Insights, who were tasked with conducting the research that led to identifying the winners. “It’s gratifying to see the industry embrace the awards,” he said. “The fact that the MOST Awards are so well supported shows that they mean something to you.”
Chris Hitchings, CEO of DStv Sales, overall winner of the media owner award, was presented with the award by Tanya Schreuder of Vizeum and applauded by his team, all wearing dashing red feather boas. “Thank you team,” he said to much applause. “And thanks to everyone who voted for us.”
Chris Botha, director of The Media Shop, which won best overall media agency, said he was “elated” by the win. “It’s not about what the award does for you, it’s about what it says about you,” he said. “Media owners are key partners and the fact that they recognise us means we have mutual respect for each other and what we do.”
Marketing and sales teams from the following companies were celebrated for their sales prowess and service excellence in the MOST Media Owner Sales & Marketing Awards 2011:
Magazines
Media24 Central Sales
Newspapers
Ads24
Out-of-Home
Continental Outdoor
Digital Media
The SpaceStation
Radio
Radmark
Television / Cinema
DStv Media Sales
Overall MOST Media Owner Sales & Marketing Award 2011
DStv Media Sales
MOST Media Owner Sales & Marketing Legend Award 2011
Respondents were asked to name individuals that epitomise greatness in sales and marketing. Peter McKenzie, previous CEO of Oracle Airtime Sales (now DStv Media Sales), is known and loved by all for his wisdom, leadership and ability to inspire others.
MOST Media Owner Sales & Marketing Innovator Award 2011
Respondents to the online survey were also asked to submit a nomination for an individual who exceeds conventional expectations by displaying attributes such as passion, creativity, entrepreneurship, courage and tenacity. The inaugural winner of this award is Jacques du Preez, managing director of Provantage for his willingness to “challenge the status quo” in a competitive category. Du Preez won this accolade last year too – and is a remarkable achiever.
The following individuals and companies were recognised in the MOST Media Agency Awards:
MOST Media Agency of the Year 2011
The winning agency of the overall MOST Media Agency of the Year 2011 is The MediaShop (JHB).
MOST Media Agency Legend Award 2011
The MOST research yielded a clear winner in the MOST Media Agency Legend Award – Virginia Hollis, MD of The MediaShop (JHB). She is regarded as fair, passionate, exceptionally-skilled, kind and fair. Her staff love and adore her and they are fiercely loyal to her. Hollis has an amazing ability to teach and explain and loves giving back to the industry.
MOST Media Agency Innovator Award 2011
The MOST Media Agency Innovator is Ryan Williams, MD of Nota Bene. His peers rate him as one of the top five strategic media brains in this country. He is incredibly clever and if he works on a pitch, you have an 80 percent chance of winning the account. He has amazing insight into consumer behaviour that translates into incredible strategies, say his colleagues.
Williams also has the ability, through his passion for what he does, to inspire others to do better and write better strategies.
MOST Research Reports
Customised research reports, which include an analysis of marketing and sales teams and media agencies against the criteria and their competition, are available for purchase. Please email arhlene@stonesoup.co.za for more information.
