The 2024 National Exceptional Marketing Awards, held on the 13th of September at Cresta Lodge in Msasa, Harare, brought together the marketing community to celebrate the most innovative and impactful campaigns of the year. Organized by the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ), the event recognized exceptional talent and exemplary companies that shaped the industry in 2024. With various categories ranging from digital marketing to corporate social responsibility, the awards served as a testament to the creativity, innovation, and professionalism that define Zimbabwe’s marketing landscape.

Powered by Econet Wireless and Cookmore, the event was a grand celebration of marketing excellence. In the Best Video/TV Advert of the Year 2024 category, Baker’s Inn took home the Platinum Award for their captivating Mr. Chingwa advert. Nyaradzo Group secured the Gold Award with their compelling When Nature Calls, We Answer, while Dendairy and Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe were honored with Silver Awards for their respective campaigns, Citro – Milky Joy with Fruity Fun! and Stanbic Private Banking Lifestyle.

The Television Infomercial of the Year 2024 saw Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe continuing their winning streak with the Platinum Award for Stanbic in the Community. Nyaradzo’s Sahwi in a Sec earned the Gold Award, while Cangrow Trading Private Limited and Pacific Cigarette Company received Silver Awards for their outstanding infomercials.

On the radio front, CBZ Bank Limited emerged victorious in the Best Radio Advert of the Year 2024 category, securing the Platinum Award for their ZikiCash advert. Zimgold’s Soya Chunks campaign earned the Gold Award, and PG Merchandising and Zimbabwe Sugar Sales (Huletts Kuti Zvitapire) were awarded Silver for their impactful jingles. This category was proudly sponsored by Diamond FM.

For the Best Radio Infomercial of the Year 2024, OK Zimbabwe clinched the Platinum Award with their Heroes Write and Win campaign. ZINARA’s License and Win Promotion received the Gold Award, while Zimbabwe Sugar Sales and OK Zimbabwe were honored with Silver Awards for their notable contributions. This category was sponsored by ZiFM.

In the print advertising segment, Nyaradzo once again shined, winning the Platinum Award for Don’t Let Funeral Expenses Cause Commotion. Zimbabwe Sugar Sales followed closely with a Gold Award for their Genuine Huletts Sun Sweet campaign, and Delta Corporation and CBZ Bank Limited completed the podium with Silver Awards for their impressive print ads.

The Best Outdoor Advert of the Year 2024 was awarded to Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of Zimbabwe (ECGC) for their emotional campaign, It Doesn’t Have to End in Tears. National Foods Limited took the Gold Award for Unleashing The Next Beast with Nutri Active Nutri Boost, while CBZ Bank Limited and Colcom earned Silver Awards for their outstanding outdoor advertisements.

As digital marketing continues to transform the industry, Old Mutual led the charge with its O’mari for Mahala USD Wallet Promotion, securing the Platinum Award for Best Social Media and Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year 2024. EcoCash Private Limited achieved the Gold Award for its highly successful Zvakabhadhara neEcoCash campaign, while Lobels and Pacific Cigarette Company were recognized with Silver Awards for their innovative social media efforts. This category was sponsored by Digital R.E.

In recognition of excellence in website design, Croco Holdings emerged as the top winner, securing the Platinum Award for Best Website of the Year 2024. Nyaradzo earned the Gold Award for its user-friendly site, with OmniContact and Delta Corporation receiving Silver Awards for their exceptional digital presence. This category was sponsored by the MAZ Business Institute.

The Product-Based Customer Experience of the Year 2024 was awarded to Proton for their customer-centric approach. Mazoe’s innovative marketing strategy earned them the Gold Award, while Baker’s Inn and Pfuko secured Silver Awards for their exceptional service and customer satisfaction.

For service-based customer experience, Econet Wireless took the spotlight, winning the Platinum Award for Service-Based Customer Experience of the Year 2024. TelOne followed with a Gold Award, while Cimas and Liquid Intelligent Technologies earned Silver Awards for their outstanding customer service initiatives.

The Best New Product or Innovation of the Year 2024 category honored the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) with the Platinum Award for their Electronic Government Procurement System (eGP). Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe’s Bulk Note Accepters won the Gold Award, with CBZ Bank Limited and Dairibord receiving Silver Awards for their trailblazing innovations.

In the Best Marketing Oriented SME of the Year 2024 category, sponsored by PPC, Moushtec Steel and Fireplaces took the Platinum Award, with The Best Travel receiving the Gold Award. Powerlive Zimbabwe and Avante Screens were both awarded Silver for their impressive efforts.

In the corporate events category, FBC Holdings secured the Platinum Award for Best Corporate Event of the Year 2024 with their FBC Zim – Open event. The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) earned the Gold Award for their SADC Industrialisation Week event, while TIMB and ZimSwitch received Silver Awards for their well-executed corporate gatherings. This category was sponsored by Showcase It.

The Best 360-Degree Campaign of the Year 2024 saw EcoCash Private Limited claiming the Platinum Award for their ChakaChaya neEcoCash campaign. Delta Beverages earned the Gold Award for The Mighty Zambezian Experience, with OK Zimbabwe and Econet Wireless securing Silver Awards for their comprehensive marketing efforts. This category was sponsored by Webdev.

Corporate social responsibility was highlighted in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign of the Year 2024 category, where Old Mutual Zimbabwe took the Platinum Award for their The Value Creation Challenge: Eight2Five Start Up Incubation Program. FBC Holdings followed with the Gold Award, while Nyaradzo and Delta Corporation were recognized with Silver Awards for their impactful social projects. This category was sponsored by The Eyeroom.

In the Excellence in Public Sector Marketing of the Year 2024 category, ZINARA emerged as the Platinum Award winner, with NSSA securing the Gold Award and the Insurance & Pensions Commission earning Silver for their innovative approaches in public sector marketing. This category was sponsored by PPC Zimbabwe.

The next generation of marketing talent was celebrated in the Best Marketing Student of the Year 2024 category, sponsored by Proton Bakers Pvt Ltd. Kudakwashe Mutamhiri from Midlands State University won the Platinum Award for his Outstanding Dissertation on Strategies for Promoting Drug Abstinence Among Students at Tertiary Institutions: A Social Marketing Approach. Desire E. Mukwekwe from the University of Zimbabwe also received a Platinum Award for his work on Leveraging Big Data for Effective Customer-Centric Pricing Strategies in the Insurance Industry.

The Young Achiever / Upcoming Marketer of the Year 2024 category, also sponsored by Proton Bakers Pvt Ltd, saw Kudakwashe Chiutsi of Pacific Cigarette Company winning the Platinum Award. Mashero Kudakwashe Peter from Midlands State University earned the Gold Award, with Trish Varaidzo Chibarinya from ZB Financial Holdings and Desmond Tapfuma from Nyaradzo Group receiving Silver Awards for their promising contributions to the field.

In the Best Digital Marketing Practitioner of the Year 2024 category, sponsored by Nemchem, Tinovimbanashe Hove from Barkers Ogilvy secured the Platinum Award. William Duri from Croco Holdings earned the Gold Award, while Simbarashe Nhete from OK Zimbabwe Limited and Malcom Mufunde from Nyaradzo Group were awarded Silver for their exceptional digital marketing practices.

For the Best Brand Manager of the Year 2024, Ralph P. Wilson of OK Zimbabwe Limited won the Platinum Award. Jeraldine Mamombe from Delta Beverages received the Gold Award, and Media Almater Tazarurwa from National Foods Limited earned the Silver Award for their outstanding brand management.

The Best Public Relations Practitioner of the Year 2024 saw Tsungie Manyeza from ZINARA taking the Platinum Award. Tendai Mutseyekwa from NSSA received the Gold Award, with Ropafadzo Gwanetsa from Schweppes Holdings Africa Limited and Tatenda Mugabe from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board earning Silver Awards for their exceptional PR skills.

In the Best Sales Manager of the Year 2024 category, Daniel Chipato of Proton Bakers Pvt Ltd was honored with the Platinum Award. Vaibhav Harsora won the Gold Award, with Gamuchirai Zviuya from Image Magic Corporate and Teclar Mazanhi from Webdev receiving Silver Awards for their outstanding sales management.

The Champion Marketer of the Year 2024, sponsored by Premier Corporate Gifts, was awarded to Matilda Nyathi of CBZ Holdings. This top honor also saw Palmer Mugavha from Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe receiving the Gold Award, and Tariro Muchena from Econet Wireless and Grace Chimedza – Nyamakupe from Nyaradzo Group were awarded Silver for their exceptional achievements in the marketing field.

The Marketing Oriented CEO/Managing Director of the Year 2024 recognized outstanding leadership with winners including Solomon Nyanhongo, Maxen Phillip Karombo, and Gerry Tselentis. Their visionary leadership and marketing acumen have set new standards for the industry.

The 2024 NEMA also saw the Honorary Exceptional Marketing Awards recognizing a distinguished group of individuals for their exceptional contributions to the marketing industry. This year’s honorees include Odiline Kava, Liberty Kazhanje, Dr. Miriam Mugwati, Roseline Chisveto, Andrew Tawodzera, Dedrey Mutimutema, Irimayi Muzorewa, Farayi Mangwende, Melenie Gumbo, Joel Gombera, and Memory Ndoro Mandiya. They were celebrated for their outstanding leadership, innovative approaches, and commitment to advancing marketing practices. Additional accolades were given to Willard Nyagwande, Tariro Muchena, Unaiswi Nleya Nyikadzino, Aman Jyoti, Tapuwa Mandimutsira, Tichaona Gandanhamo, Tracey Mutaviri, Lawrence Kupika, MAZ President Ms. Lillian Mbayiwa, Dr. Ruth Ncube, Henry Madovi, Charles Mutemera, Admire Ndumo, and Honourable Minister Dr. Tatenda Mavetera for their significant contributions and unwavering support.

The 2024 NEMA were made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Econet Wireless and Cookmore powered the event, while other vital contributions came from Diamond FM, ZiFM, Digital R.E., MAZ Business Institute, PPC Zimbabwe, ShowcaseIt, The Eyeroom, Proton Bakers Pvt Ltd, Nemchem, Premier Corporate Gifts, Webdev, Image Magic Corporate, Dairibord, Cairns, Lobels, Proton, Dendairy, Huletts, and Pipeline. Media partners such as The Financial Gazette, Dailynews, 3KTV, Zimpapers, ZBC, ZTN, and Zimbabwe Independence significantly boosted the event’s reach. We also extend our thanks to Digital R.E. for their digital billboard support, Nyaradzo Group for their entertainment, and Topline Research Solution for their invaluable research assistance. We are deeply grateful to all our sponsors for their unwavering support, which made the celebration of marketing excellence a resounding success.