“New Gen, Big Dreams, Bigger Screens” How SA’s Digital Scene Just Leveled Up (And Why We’re Cheering)
If you thought digital marketing was just posts, ads & hashtags — think again. The 2025 New Generation Awards (aka New Gen) just dropped proof: South Africa’s creative and marketing engine is roaring louder than ever. And, spoiler alert: Dentsu’s at the center of the applause.
What’s New Gen All About?
The New Generation Social & Digital Media Awards are like the Olympics for social-first campaigns, integrated marketing, AI, tech, and digital innovation. Think: 60 razor-sharp categories where agencies, brands, influencers, and creative hustlers compete for bragging rights. (Newgen Awards)
This year, these awards are branded WesBank New Gen Awards, thanks to WesBank becoming the Platinum Headline Sponsor. (Newgen Awards)
Entries opened on 1 May 2025 and closed on 18 July.
Finalists were announced early September — and the Gala happened 23 September at NH Sandton. (Newgen Awards)
It’s not just “digital bragging” — it’s recognition of work that performs. Campaigns that connect, convert, inspire. The kind of stuff that keeps you up at night thinking, “How do they make that look so effortless?”
Dentsu: The Big Moment They’ve Been Waiting For
Hold your confetti — Dentsu didn’t just show up, they showed out.
They were named Large Agency of the Year 2025 at New Gen.
They also won Best Marketing Automation Campaign (Online Media & Tools) for their work with Telkom: Merkury_dentsu data.
Plus — fun fact — Dentsu had been shortlisted in 30 categories earlier this year. That’s like entering all your champion sprinters and getting them all into finals. (The Media Online)
They’ve become a kind of benchmark—the agency everyone watches when new campaigns launch, new digital tools emerge, and when “marketing done right” is talked about.
Marketing Awards Beyond New Gen: The Broader SA Story
It’s not just New Gen lighting up screens. Over in the Marketing Achievement Awards 2025, SA’s top marketing minds were also celebrated. (Paton Brands)
- Nedbank scooped Marketing Organisation of the Year, showing that it’s not just campaigns — it’s culture, strategy, consistency. (Paton Brands)
- NikNaks got “Excellence in South African Resonance Marketing” for their OwnYourNak campaign. (Yes, your chip brand just won a marketing award. That’s how far the game’s evolved.) (Paton Brands)
- Jody Ashworth (Discovery) was crowned Rising Star of the Year. Talents behind the scenes, this one’s a big win. (Paton Brands)
These awards show that both big agencies and nimble marketers are part of a rising tide of excellence.
KingClip’s Take: Why This Inspires Us (And You)
- More Casting + Creative Work: As agencies push digital, they need more faces, voices, models, performers. We see opportunity in every digital billboard, social ad or campaign video.
- Expect Smarter Briefs: Clients are demanding data + emotion, tech + heart. The campaigns that win are the ones that balance art & analytics.
- Cross-discipline is the new black: Digital + content + performance + storytelling + visual design + tech. If your skills span more than one lane, you're already on the radar.
- South Africa makes global ripples: When local agencies win big, the world watches. Our work gets shelf space globally — and that translates into bigger budgets, collaborations, and exports.
Conclusion
To Dentsu, to every finalist, to every small agency punching above its weight — congratulations. You’ve reminded us all that even in the fast, noisy world of digital, creativity still cuts through.
Here’s to more bold ideas, more lights, more digital storytelling that feels full of heart (and clever data). KingClip will always be pushing to provide the faces, voices, talent & stories to match.
Let’s keep creating — not just for views or clicks — but for impact.
