- Digital Brand of the Year: Philipstown WireCar Foundation won the top digital brand honour at the 2026 Bookmark Awards.
- Top campaign: The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix, with Accenture Song, was the night’s most awarded campaign.
- Best Digital Agency: Accenture Song and Ogilvy shared the 2026 title in a rare tie.
- Standout winners: Pete Case, Andrea Quaye, Gregory Leigh Booysen and Haydn Townsend were among the key individual honourees.
- Full winners list: The article provides a comprehensive breakdown of black pixel, gold, silver and bronze winners across all eight Bookmark Awards themes.
The Philipstown WireCar Foundation was named Digital Brand of the Year at the 2026 Bookmark Awards on Thursday night, capping a standout evening in which its work with Accenture Song claimed the black pixel in multiple categories.
The Foundation’s The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix was the most decorated idea of the evening at The Campus in Bryanston, winning the Pixel for Purpose black pixel and contributing to a shared Best Marketer honour, alongside gold and other accolades across craft and strategy categories.
The night’s closely watched Best Digital Agency title ended in a rare draw, with Accenture Song and Ogilvy each taking home a black pixel.
The result underscored the strength of the two agencies’ work across South Africa’s digital marketing industry.
Black pixel winners
The Bookmark Awards’ black pixels represent the highest level of recognition at the event, and this year’s winners spanned agencies, marketers, publishers, brands and individual talent.
Ogilvy CEO and creative chairman Pete Case was named Best Creative, while Andrea Quaye, marketing director at Heineken Beverages, won Best Individual Contribution to Digital Marketing.
Quaye said the recognition was a privilege and credited the team and agency partners behind her work. “It’s such a privilege to win this award, and it’s really humbling because this kind of work, you don’t win by yourself. It’s with my team, it’s with my amazing agencies.”
Previdar was named Best Publisher, while Lucid Ventures won Best Direct Brand or Online Business for Jasper and Jute.
Jasper and Jute owner Katy Ward said the business had grown from a shared ambition to make art more accessible. “We started something with a dream and passion. We really are trying to change and shape the way people see art, to let it be accessible and still be something special.”
Ogilvy and Volkswagen won the Localisation and Cultural Relevance black pixel for Forever Golf, a campaign praised for its understanding of its audience.
The awards also highlighted emerging talent. Gregory Leigh Booysen of Accenture Song was named Digital Rising Star, while Vega School at Emeris students Arielle Marinakis and Chad Gaddie were jointly named Best Digital Student winners.
Booysen said the recognition was particularly meaningful at the start of his career. “This is crazy. This is the dream as a young creative. I came into this industry super young. I didn’t know much, but I get to work every day with guys who are super talented.”
He added: “To those guys, I love and respect you.”
One of the night’s most poignant moments came with the posthumous presentation of the black pixel for Outstanding Individual Impact in Digital to Haydn Townsend.
IAB South Africa executive director Chris Borain said the awards celebrated people who continued to push the industry forward, while paying tribute to Townsend’s contribution.
“Tonight we celebrated the people who refuse to settle. To every winner across every pixel this year, from bronze to black, you have raised the bar for all of us,” he said.
Addressing Townsend’s family, friends and colleagues, Borain added: “Thank you for sharing him with our industry. His impact will outlast every award ever given.”
Borain also thanked the event’s partners, including Bmedia, Media24, DStv Media Sales, Unilever, MTN Ads, Futureborn and Yarneigh Studios. “None of this happens on its own, and it certainly does not happen without the partners who choose to stand behind it,” he said.
Gold pixels showcase range
Beyond the black pixels, gold winners across the Bookmark Awards’ eight themes highlighted the breadth of South Africa’s digital marketing sector.
In Build, MakeReign won gold for Khula in Software, Services and Platforms, while Accenture Song’s The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix took gold in Games.
In Communicate, Joe Public won gold for Nedbank’s Hardworking Professionals in Online Video Series. Accenture Song also won gold for Integrated Digital Campaign.
Connect saw Ogilvy take gold for Unilever’s #VaselineVerified, while The Odd Number won for Previdar’s Show Ghana Love. Clockwork took gold in Influencer Marketing for The Salvation Army’s Escape It.
In Innovate, Ogilvy won gold for Audi’s TikTok Test Drive in Channel Innovation, bringing the car showroom experience into the social platform.
The Impact theme recognised work that delivered results through strategy and innovation. VML SA won gold for Vaseline’s Mntana Ka Gogo in Break Through on a Budget, while Ogilvy took gold for Google’s If the fits, circle it in Search Engine Optimisation.
Accenture Song and Ogilvy both won gold in Digital Campaign Strategy, for The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix and #VaselineVerified respectively.
In Publish, The Odd Number’s Show Ghana Love won gold in Social Media Content.
Craft winners included MakeReign’s Khula, which collected gold across Strategy, Software, Coding and Tech Innovation, and Interactive Design. Accenture Song’s The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix also collected gold in Online Video, Interactive Design and Excellence in Craft.
The full 2026 Bookmark Awards winners
Special honours (black pixel)
- Digital Brand of the Year – BLACK – The Philipstown WireCar Foundation
- Best Digital Agency – BLACK – Accenture Song
- Best Digital Agency – BLACK – Ogilvy
- Best Creative – BLACK – Pete Case, CEO and Creative Chairman, Ogilvy
- Best Marketer – BLACK – Eileen Menne, Kay Fourie and Kenneth Yoko, The Philipstown WireCar Foundation
- Best Individual Contribution to Digital Marketing – BLACK – Andrea Quaye, Marketing Director, Heineken Beverages
- Best Publisher – BLACK – Previdar
- Best Direct Brand or Online Business – BLACK – Lucid Ventures, Jasper and Jute
- Pixel for Purpose – BLACK – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Localisation and Cultural Relevance – BLACK – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Forever Golf
- Digital Rising Star – BLACK – Gregory Leigh Booysen, Accenture Song
- Best Digital Student – BLACK – Arielle Marinakis, Vega School at Emeris
- Best Digital Student – BLACK – Chad Gaddie, Vega School at Emeris
- Outstanding Individual Impact in Digital – BLACK – Haydn Townsend (In Memoriam)
Build
- Public Service and NPO Platforms – SILVER – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Foundation, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Software, Services and Platforms – GOLD – MakeReign, Khula
- Software, Services and Platforms – BRONZE – SAB (AB InBev), TavNet
- Mobile Apps – SILVER – MakeReign, Khula
- Mobile Sites – SILVER – Ogilvy, KFC South Africa, KFC Taste, KAIIA
- Mobile Sites – SILVER – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Heineken Beer, Social Screen
- Mobile Sites – BRONZE – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Nissan South Africa, Nissan Intelligent Playlist
- Campaign / Microsites – BRONZE – One Over One, Dream Hotels and Resorts, Lehotel
- Games – GOLD – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Foundation, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Customer Experience Design – BRONZE – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Social Screen
- Customer Experience Design – BRONZE – MakeReign, Khula
Communicate
- Integrated Digital Campaign – GOLD – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Integrated Digital Campaign – SILVER – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Online Video Series – GOLD – Joe Public, Nedbank, Hardworking Professionals
- Online Video Series – SILVER – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Online Video Series – BRONZE – FCB Africa, Axe, The Axe Effect
- Podcasts, Live Streaming and Audio Streaming – SILVER – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Nissan South Africa, Nissan Intelligent Playlist
- Branded Content – SILVER – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Branded Content – SILVER – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
Connect
- Social Media Campaigns – GOLD – Ogilvy, Unilever, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, #VaselineVerified
- Social Media Campaigns – GOLD – The Odd Number, Previdar, Online Magazine, Show Ghana Love
- Social Media Campaigns – SILVER – Ogilvy, Audi, TikTok Test Drive
- Social Media Campaigns – SILVER – Ogilvy, KFC South Africa and Volkswagen South Africa, KFC Brand, KFC X VW SUMMER
- Social Media Campaigns – SILVER – Lucky Hustle, Xiaomi South Africa, Xiaomi Redmi Note 15, Xiaomi RN15 Titan Tough
- Social Media Campaigns – SILVER – VML SA, Vaseline, Mntana Ka Gogo
- Social Media Campaigns – BRONZE – M+C Saatchi Abel (a division of The Up and Up Group), Nando’s x Maybelline, HotMess
- Social Media Campaigns – BRONZE – 99c, Checkers, Checkers X Dan Mace Christmas 2025
- Social Media Campaigns – BRONZE – Promise, AB InBev Castle Lite, Castle Lite Draught, The Cold Case
- Social Media Campaigns – BRONZE – McCann Joburg, Steers, Burger Le Burger (Bheka Le Burger) Response Track
- Online Video Channels – SILVER – FCB Africa, Axe, The Axe Effect
- Online Video Channels – BRONZE – Lucky Hustle, Xiaomi South Africa, Xiaomi Redmi Note 15, Xiaomi RN15 Titan Tough
- Social Communities – BRONZE – Ogilvy, KFC South Africa, KFC Brand, Kentucky Fried Culture
- Social Communities – BRONZE – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Influencer Marketing – GOLD – Clockwork, The Salvation Army, Escape It
- Influencer Marketing – BRONZE – Clockwork, The Salvation Army, #BehindTheLabel
- Influencer Marketing – BRONZE – Lucky Hustle, Xiaomi South Africa, Xiaomi Redmi Note 15, Xiaomi RN15 Titan Tough
- Creator Marketing – SILVER – 99c, Checkers, Checkers X Dan Mace Christmas 2025
- Bots, Messaging and Dark Social – BRONZE – Accenture Song, NikNaks, Naks Level: The AI Mentor on WhatsApp
- Digital Installations and Activations – SILVER – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Heineken Beer, Max Speed
- Digital Installations and Activations – BRONZE – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Heineken Beer, Social Screen
- Digital Installations and Activations – BRONZE – Ogilvy, AB InBev SA, Injury Time
- Interactive Mixed Media – GOLD – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Interactive Mixed Media – SILVER – Ogilvy, AB InBev SA, Injury Time
- Interactive Mixed Media – BRONZE – Accenture Song, Allan Gray, A Seat at The Table
Innovate
- Artificial Intelligence: Creative Communication – SILVER – Avatar Agency, Women’s Legal Centre, NxmeHim
- Platform Innovation – BRONZE – Ogilvy, Audi, TikTok Test Drive
- Platform Innovation – BRONZE – MakeReign, Khula
- Channel Innovation – GOLD – Ogilvy, Audi, TikTok Test Drive
- Channel Innovation – SILVER – Clockwork, The Salvation Army, Escape It
- Channel Innovation – SILVER – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Nissan South Africa, Nissan Intelligent Playlist
- Channel Innovation – SILVER – SAB (AB InBev), TavNet
- Channel Innovation – BRONZE – Clockwork, Feelz, Feelz Buttercup Condomz, Unhappily Ever After
- Social Media Innovation – SILVER – Clockwork, Feelz, Feelz Buttercup Condomz, Slipping one past the Meta goalie
- Social Media Innovation – BRONZE – Accenture Song, NikNaks, Naks Level: The AI Mentor on WhatsApp
Impact
- Digital Campaign Strategy – GOLD – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Digital Campaign Strategy – GOLD – Ogilvy, Unilever, Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, #VaselineVerified
- Digital Campaign Strategy – SILVER – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Mobile Campaign Strategy – SILVER – Ogilvy, Audi, TikTok Test Drive
- Mobile Campaign Strategy – SILVER – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Content Marketing Strategy – SILVER – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Best Use of Data in a Campaign – GOLD – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Best Use of Data in a Campaign – SILVER – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Nissan South Africa, Nissan Intelligent Playlist
- Break Through on a Budget – GOLD – VML SA, Vaseline, Mntana Ka Gogo
- Break Through on a Budget – SILVER – Ogilvy, Audi, TikTok Test Drive
- Break Through on a Budget – BRONZE – FCB Africa, Axe, The Axe Effect
- Break Through on a Budget – BRONZE – The Odd Number, Previdar, Online Magazine, Show Ghana Love
- Search Engine Optimisation – GOLD – Ogilvy, Google, If the fits, circle it
- Display Advertising – SILVER – Clockwork, The Salvation Army, Escape It
- Display Advertising – BRONZE – 365 Digital Media, Stadio Higher Education, Banners that built a profit
- Social Paid Advertising – SILVER – Ogilvy, Audi, TikTok Test Drive
- Social Paid Advertising – SILVER – Lucid Performance and The MediaShop, Debonairs, Debo Yesss
- Social Paid Advertising – BRONZE – Juno Media and Joe Public, Chicken Licken, SoulFood2theWorld
- Email, Direct and Inbound Marketing – BRONZE – Demographica, Moore Infinity, The Chino Audit
- Use of Programmatic Media – BRONZE – Guerilla Tactic Media, DStv | Supersport, Football Season, The ‘Mo’ment media that reacts like a fan
- Use of CRM, Loyalty Programs and Gamification – SILVER – Fuse Growth Studio for Takealot, Takealot, The Long Tail of a Wishlist
Publish
- Social Media Content – GOLD – The Odd Number, Previdar, Online Magazine, Show Ghana Love
- Email Newsletters and Marketing – BRONZE – News24, News24 editor newsletters
- Video Content – SILVER – News24, Special report, Hunted: Tracked, traced, and eliminated: How Mpho Mafole was murdered
- Video Content – BRONZE – Media24, Daily Sun, Ask an Expert: Visual Translation for Survival
- Audio Content and Podcasts – SILVER – East Coast Radio, East Coast Radio: Angler News SA with Vinesh Soogreem
Craft
- Craft – Strategy – GOLD – MakeReign, Khula
- Craft – Software, Coding and Tech. Innovation – GOLD – MakeReign, Khula
- Craft – Software, Coding and Tech. Innovation – SILVER – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Nissan South Africa, Nissan Intelligent Playlist
- Craft – Software, Coding and Tech. Innovation – SILVER – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Heineken Beer, Social Screen
- Craft – Software, Coding and Tech. Innovation – BRONZE – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Heineken Beer, Max Speed
- Craft – Online Video / Moving Image – GOLD – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Craft – Online Video / Moving Image – BRONZE – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Craft – Online Video / Moving Image – BRONZE – Machine_, Spotify, Khuphuka Nathi
- Craft – Interactive Design – GOLD – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Craft – Interactive Design – GOLD – MakeReign, Khula
- Craft – Interactive Design – BRONZE – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Heineken Beer, Social Screen
- Craft – Interface Design – SILVER – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Craft – Interface Design – BRONZE – MakeReign, Khula
- Craft – Marketing Copywriting – BRONZE – Clockwork, Feelz, Feelz Buttercup Condomz, Slipping one past the Meta goalie
- Craft – Research – BRONZE – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Craft – Social Media Community Management – BRONZE – Ogilvy, KFC South Africa, KFC Brand, Kentucky Fried Culture
- Craft – Digital Media – BRONZE – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Craft – Digital Media – BRONZE – Ogilvy, Audi, TikTok Test Drive
- Craft – Use of Sound – SILVER – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Craft – Use of Sound – BRONZE – Machine_, Spotify, Khuphuka Nathi
- Craft – Use of Sound – BRONZE – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Nissan South Africa, Nissan Intelligent Playlist
- Craft – Digital Content Marketing – SILVER – Ogilvy, Volkswagen, Golf, Forever Golf
- Excellence in Craft: Innovative use of Technology – GOLD – Accenture Song, The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix
- Excellence in Craft: Innovative use of Technology – SILVER – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Heineken Beer, Max Speed
- Excellence in Craft: Innovative use of Technology – BRONZE – LePub Johannesburg, Heineken Beverages, Heineken Beer, Social Screen
- Excellence in Craft: Innovative use of Technology – BRONZE – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Nissan South Africa, Nissan Intelligent Playlist
