Episode 45: The Bookmarks

16 November 2009

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In this week's episode of The Digital Edge we take a special look into last weeks Bookmarks Awards.

First, we speak to Online Publishers Association Head of Creative, Ben Wagner on why the awards are important in the South African space and how the OPA is trying to champion excellence in digital in South Africa. He also provides tips for next years entrants on what not to do.

Next we speak to judges J.P. Farinha, Rob Stokes and international judge Chris Colborne to see how the process worked, what they learnt and what they didn't enjoy about the process.

Finally, we take a audio trip to the awards ceremony and speak to winners Elan Lohmann from Avusa, Justin Hartman from Afrigator and Pete Case from Gloo.

We are also joined by news lady extraordinaire, Kerry-Anne Gilowey in our weekly news section.

Guests:

Ben Wagner:
Ben has been at the helm of Stonewall+ Digital Marketing since 2005 and has rapidly grown the company into a formidable force within the South African digital marketing landscape. His role has encompassed a combination of overall client leadership together with creative strategy for key accounts.

Chris Colborn:

As Chief Experience Officer (CXO), Chris turns insights into innovations that result in meaningful engagements for consumers. With 20 years of design experience across multiple channels, he is an expert in aligning client business goals with customer needs by driving value and relevance–especially where product development blurs with marketing, creativity becomes inseparable from technology, and brand and business strategy converge.

Rob Stokes:

Besides finding blissful enjoyment in serious amounts of late nights and hard work, our very own Rob Stokes has also found a way to use his hilarious and gregarious nature to power the turbines of the QuirkStation. Initially, it began in Rob's bedroom, with only the voices inside his head to keep him company. But the growth of Rob's ideas was inevitable. They crept out of his bedroom into his lounge, and then all the way to a warehouse in Cape Town and then to offices in London and Johannesburg.

J.P Farinha:

JP Farinha is the CEO of 24.com, the online South African subsidiary of Naspers.

Elan Lohmann:

Elan is an online expert that has been in the game since the browsed web was born with experience managing many of South Africa’s leading online brands, increasing their audience sizes and bottom line.

Pete Case:

Pete is the Owner and Creative Director of digital design agency Gloo.

Justin Hartman:

Justin is the MD and co-founder of Afrigator - Africa's largest social media aggregator and blog directory.