The prestigious New Generation Awards has officially opened entries for its 13th annual edition, inviting submissions from corporates, agencies, individuals, and brands across South Africa. Entry submissions opened on Thursday, 1 May, with a deadline set for Friday, 18 July 2025.

Over the past 12 years, the New Gen Awards have recognised over 1 500 outstanding achievements from more than 5 000 entries, celebrating creativity, performance, and innovation in digital media, marketing, and technology. The awards continue to serve as a benchmark for excellence in a fast-changing industry.

New Black Onyx Category Updates
This year introduces an exciting update to the Black Onyx Award Categories, with the Agency of the Year title now split into three distinct categories to better reflect the diversity and scale of agency operations:

• Small Agency of the Year (49 or fewer employees)
• Medium Agency of the Year (50–150 employees)
• Large Agency of the Year (150+ full-time employees)

Eligible work must fall within the judging period from 1 May 2024 to 13 June 2025.

Sponsors and Industry Support
The 2025 edition is proudly supported by Bronze sponsors Unilever South Africa and Algorithm Agency, with more sponsor announcements to follow.

“At Unilever, we are passionate about pioneering new paths to growth, with a particular focus on social-first marketing. The New Generation Awards are a fantastic way to recognise excellence in this space, as they are performance-based, independent, and known for acknowledging innovative and impactful work,” says Tamryn Taylor, Head of Marketing, Demand Creation: Beauty, Wellbeing and Personal Care at Unilever.

Jamie-Leigh Barnett, Director of Growth and Development at Algorithm, adds, “Our decision to support this platform stems from a shared belief in the power of collaboration and innovation. At Algorithm, we embed ourselves in our clients’ businesses to drive measurable, strategic growth.”

What’s Next?
A panel of 30 top-tier industry experts will soon be announced as judges for this year’s awards.

The annual New Gen Awards Gala Ceremony will take place at NH Sandton on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, promising a night of celebration, recognition, and networking.

Whether you’re an emerging talent, a forward-thinking agency, or a brand pushing boundaries, the New Generation Awards is your opportunity to showcase your best work and gain industry recognition.

📅 Submit your entry by 18 July 2025
🌐 For more information and entry guidelines, visit www.newgenawards.co.za