The Sunday Times’ Generation Next awards took place in Johannesburg last night and saw some old favourites maintain their popularity, and some newcomers make a big splash.
“The GenerationNext Awards are always a highlight in the media and business calendar alike. It’s always exciting and insightful to see how much brand loyalty already exists within children. They do, afterall, shape the products of the future,” says Trevor Ormerod, GM advertising and strategic communications for Times Media.
South Africa’s most popular products, brands, celebrities, and sportsmen and women – as voted for by six thousand youths aged eight to 22 – were awarded at the spectacular event, hosted by 5fm’s Poppy Ntshongwana.
The GenerationNext Survey, covering 73 categories, was conducted by Hdi Youth Marketeers to gauge the influence of products and people in the lives of South Africa’s youth. Importantly it highlights what they consider to be ‘cool’.
While FNB (Coolest Bank), Blackberry (Coolest Cellphone), SAA (Coolest Domestic Airline), Vodacom (Coolest Telecomms Provider) and BMW (Coolest Motor Vehicle) continue to be firm favourites with youngsters, some interesting changes emerged. In the clothing brand category, newcomer Ama Kip Kip*was voted Coolest South African Fashion Brand for 2013. Mr Price was voted Coolest Clothing Store taking the lead from Nike who in turn won the title of Coolest Clothing Brand, outdoing rival fashion label, Guess, who took the title last year.
For the first time in the survey, Metro FM beat 5fm to be voted Coolest Radio Station for 2013.
The Apple iPhone was named Coolest Hi-Tech Gadget, overtaking last year’s number one, Blackberry. FIFA 13 was voted Coolest Console/Computer Game while Infinity was voted Coolest Chewing Gum – both being new categories introduced into 2013’s survey.
The KFC Add Hope initiative was selected as the Coolest Community Programme for 2013, with Soul Buddyz in second place, and My School (Woolworths) edged into third.
Repeat winners in the brand categories include Spur (Coolest Eat Out Place), Engen (Coolest Petrol Station), Protea Hotel Group (Coolest Hotel Group), Apple (Coolest Computer Brand), Trace on DStv (Coolest Music Channel), Musica (Coolest Music Retailer) and Coca Cola (Coolest Cold Drink).
South African swimmer and Olympic gold medallist, Chad Le Clos claimed another gold as Coolest Local Sportsman, and the ever-inspirational Natalie du Toit retained top spot on the podium as the Coolest Local Sportswoman.
The GenerationNext Survey was conducted across seven regions, including Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West and Western Cape. For a complete list of category winners and survey methodology, click here.
As part of the 2013 GenerationNext campaign, the Sunday Times introduced its first Youth Photography Competition, open to youths aged between 8- 23. The entries received to date formed part of the visual backdrop of the GenerationNext Awards function, showcasing the talent of SA’s budding photographers.
The photographic theme of the competition, centred around city-life, extended into activations including fun photo booths, standees and green screen photo studios – all depicting city-life in South Africa.
The winners of the photographic competition will be announced on 16th June in the Sunday Times. Check the gallery.
