The Media Online’s weekly column delivering news of award wins, entries, competitions, dates to note and winners in the media.
Hold my Hotwings: Chicken Licken takes aim at Guinness World Records title
Chicken Licken is aiming for a Guinness World Records title with an ambitious attempt to build the world’s largest rubber band ball, rallying South Africans to contribute one band at a time.
Fronted by South African comedian, actor and voice artist Tyson Ngubeni, the campaign follows the Rubber Band Man as he trains, builds and encourages the nation to get behind the record-breaking bid.
The attempt will culminate in a live weigh-in in early December, when Guinness World Records adjudicators will determine whether the ball has surpassed the current record of 5,251.69kg.
At the heart of the campaign is one of Chicken Licken’s most recognisable brand assets: the humble rubber band used to hold its meals together. The brand is turning an everyday item into an unconventional national activation, inviting South Africans to donate their rubber bands and help put the country on the world record map.
Xolisa Dyeshana, chief creative officer at Joe Public, says the idea was to move beyond an advertising campaign and create something tangible that South Africans could participate in.
“The Chicken Licken rubber band is a piece of South African pop culture. It holds our meals together, and now it could help hold a world record,” says Dyeshana.
He describes the initiative as an expression of South African ingenuity, with the nation’s support building one rubber band at a time.
Jacaranda FM takes double win at Best of Pretoria awards
Jacaranda FM has retained its title as Pretoria’s Best Local Radio Station at the 2026 Best of Pretoria awards, with breakfast presenter Martin Bester also named Best Local Radio Personality.
The double win recognises the station’s connection with its Pretoria audience and the popularity of its flagship breakfast show, Breakfast With Martin Bester.
Although Jacaranda FM broadcasts across Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West, Pretoria remains an important part of its footprint. Its community involvement, including the Good Morning Angels initiative, has further strengthened its relationship with listeners by bringing people together to support individuals and families in need.
“Winning Best Local Radio Station again is incredibly meaningful because it comes from the people who listen to us and make us part of their lives,” says Vuyani Dombo, managing director of Jacaranda FM.
“Martin’s recognition is equally special, reflecting the connection he has built with listeners every morning. These awards are a reminder that radio is about much more than what comes through the speakers; it’s about belonging, trust and the relationships we build with our communities.”
As host of Breakfast With Martin Bester, Bester connects with audiences through topical conversations, local stories and entertainment.
FNB named Africa’s Best Consumer Digital Bank
FNB has been named Africa’s Best Consumer Digital Bank for 2026 in Global Finance’s 27th annual World’s Best Digital Bank Awards.
The award recognises the bank’s digital banking strategy, customer adoption, product offering, online growth and the benefits delivered through its digital services.
Giuseppe Virgillito, FNB’s digital interfaces head, says the recognition reflects the bank’s focus on creating simple, secure and intuitive digital experiences that respond to customers’ changing needs.
The accolade follows FNB’s success in the first round of the 2026 awards, when it was named Best Consumer Digital Bank in South Africa and received four Africa-level awards: Best Mobile Banking App, Best User Experience Design, Best in Transformation, and Best Information Security & Fraud Management.
DNA Brand Architects wins Campaign of the Year at PRISM Awards
DNA Brand Architects took home the coveted Campaign of the Year award at the 2026 PRISM Awards for its work on Microsoft’s ‘Your Next Is Now’ campaign.
The win adds to the agency’s track record at the annual strategic communications awards, following previous recognition for Best Large Consultancy, Best Medium-sized Consultancy and the President’s Award for founder Sylvester Chauke. DNA also won Campaign of the Year in 2019.
The winning campaign revitalised an existing Microsoft funding initiative, positioning technology as an enabler of small-business growth. Through the stories of entrepreneurs, including internationally acclaimed designer Thebe Magugu and previous beneficiary The Awareness Company, ‘Your Next Is Now’ highlighted the role of technology, mentorship and support in helping businesses scale.
Held under the theme Kaleidoscope, the 2026 PRISM Awards celebrated excellence across South Africa’s strategic communications industry.
SLAPS Influence wins four PRISMS Awards for NSPCA campaign
SLAPS Influence has won four awards at the 2026 PRISA PRISMS Awards for its work on the National Council of SPCAs’ (NSPCA) Rein in the Pain campaign, including two Gold and two Silver awards.
The agency received Gold in Corporate Communications and Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle, and Silver in PR on a Shoe-String Budget and Visual Communication. The awards recognise a campaign that used the 2025 Durban July to bring animal welfare in the horse racing industry into the national conversation.
Led by founder and CEO Carla van Pletzen, SLAPS Influence partnered with sister agency and creative partner Boundless to develop and execute the campaign. Boundless conceptualised the creative platform, while SLAPS Influence led the public relations strategy, media relations and influencer engagement.
A central feature was actress and activist Nirvana Nokwe’s appearance at the Durban July in a protest gown designed by Carlo Gibson. The white dress, detailed with blood-red elements, transformed a high-profile fashion moment into a statement about the treatment of racehorses.
The campaign extended its message through outdoor advertising, national radio and alternative race commentary, highlighting concerns including whipping, harmful equipment and the racing of young horses.
Van Pletzen says the four awards recognise work that went beyond generating headlines to challenge perceptions and give a voice to those unable to speak for themselves.
She adds that the campaign demonstrated how public relations can harness cultural moments to bring important issues to a wider audience.
Engage PR named Best Small Public Relations Agency at PRISM Awards
Engage PR was named Best Small Public Relations Agency at the 2026 PRISM Awards, adding a Gold award for PR on a Shoe-String Budget to its honours.
The independent specialist agency, part of United Growth Group (UGG), was recognised for its strategic and creative approach to communication, reputation building and client growth.
The Gold award recognised a campaign for a multinational pharmaceutical company that delivered results despite limited financial resources, demonstrating the value of strategic thinking, creativity and resource optimisation.
“Being recognised as the Best Small Public Relations Agency is a proud moment for Engage PR. Within Engage, we combine the focus and agility of a specialist with access to broader creative, design and media expertise when our clients need it,” says Mandlakazi Mpahlwa, managing director of Engage PR.
The 2026 PRISM Awards were held under the theme ‘Kaleidoscope: Patterns of Impact Across Past, Present & Future’.
PR Worx adds two crisis communications awards to PRISMS tally
PR Worx has won gold and bronze in the Crisis Management category of the 2026 PRISA PRISMS Awards, taking its total to five awards from five entries and extending its record of crisis communications recognition to five consecutive years.
The two awards were adjudicated separately after the category was not judged in time for the gala on 24 October.
The agency won gold for its crisis communications work for the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health and bronze for its campaign for Mrs South Africa.
Thabisile Phumo, chief judge of the 2026 PRISMS Awards, congratulated the agency and apologised for the omission of the category from the gala announcements.
PR Worx founder and CEO Madelain Roscher welcomed PRISA’s decision to correct the oversight, saying the recognition belonged to the teams and clients behind the work.
The two awards add to three wins announced at the gala: gold for Roscher’s PR leadership, the top accolade in the Travel and Tourism category for Extraordinary Tourism, and bronze in Launch of a New Product or Service for BioWell’s The Slow Route campaign.
Nedbank Pitch & Polish semi-finalists face 10-year-old judges
Four semi-finalists in the 2026 Nedbank Pitch & Polish competition faced an unconventional judging panel when they were challenged to pitch their businesses to three 10-year-old entrepreneurs from Radley Private School.
With a place in the final and a share of the R1 million prize package at stake, the contestants had to explain their business ideas to Grade 4 and 5 learners Arush, Monroe and Naomi in a special episode of the programme.
The young judges earned their places after presenting their own business ideas to Raizcorp CEO and competition judge Allon Raiz, who selected them for their confidence, presentation skills and critical thinking.
The exercise tested the contestants’ ability to communicate complex business ideas simply and clearly, without relying on technical language.
“If an entrepreneur cannot explain what they do in a way that a child can understand, it often means they are still too close to the complexity of their own business,” says Raiz. “Clear communication is essential whether you are speaking to customers, investors or partners.”
The challenge also highlighted the value of introducing entrepreneurship at school level. Radley Private School teaches the subject from Grade R to matric, developing learners’ problem-solving skills, commercial awareness and confidence.
“Entrepreneurship is about more than starting a business,” says Charné De Gouveia, the school’s principal. “It is about helping learners think independently, solve real-world problems and build the confidence to take ownership of their future.”
My Glass wins third consecutive OUTsurance Outperform Award
My Glass has won the OUTsurance Outperform Award for Best Automotive Glass Service Provider for the third consecutive year.
The nationwide mobile auto glass fitment business attributes its success to investment in technology, product quality, operational efficiency and customer service.
Gary Stieger, managing director of My Glass, says the hat-trick reflects the company’s commitment to consistent service and continuous improvement.
Dr Paul Charles receives international leadership award
South African author Dr Paul Charles has received The BrandLaureate BrandLeadership Award 2026 for Leadership in Educational Transformation & Youth Empowerment. The award was presented on 22 October in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Charles’s journey from childhood poverty and homelessness to becoming an author is documented in his story, widely associated with The Wheelbarrow Kid. He attended 13 schools in 12 years and has since written three books: Nothing Kept Me Poor Like Living for Free, You Don’t Have to Fail – DARE TO SUCCEED and The Wheelbarrow Kid.
The BrandLaureate Awards have previously recognised international figures, including former South African president Nelson Mandela, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
