Judges Comments
Best Leader in Marketing Award – Agency/Adtech
Winner: Lucie Laurendon, Head of Product Marketing, Equativ, UK
Amy demonstrated remarkable achievements in leading the brand repositioning strategy. I appreciated the detailed examples of different leadership challenges she has dealt with as part of this task. I noted particularly her bringing together people in her team and managing the team to play to everyone’s strengths, ability to lead execution of successful marketing activities while operating on limited budgets and ability to take on and successfully navigate new areas of work, such as Bidwell’s B-Corp certification.
Highly Commended: Beth Gordon, Business Marketing & Communications Director, The Independent, UK
She has successfully redefined The Independent’s trade brand with the purpose-driven tagline: Making Change Happen. A tagline which really underlines Gordon’s brilliance as a marketer she makes things happen, she makes a difference, and she has successfully driven the brand forward.
Best Leader in Marketing Award – Brand
Winner: Lucie Laurendon, Head of Product Marketing, Equativ, UK
Lucie’s desire to make a difference shone through this entry. Clarity, Commitment and Commercial success all shine through Lucie’s leadership story.
The Change Maker Award
Winner – Harriet JW, Founder, Secret Sessions, UK
Truly disrupting the traditional music industry route for emerging artists. For recognising that marketing IS storytelling and influencing artists to take an intentional approach to connecting with fans. Authentically influencing and empowering the next generation of music artists.
One to Watch Award
Winner – Giorgiana Arco, Strategist, Trends & Culture, UK
Excellent and thorough nomination paying particular attention to skills of research and analysis. Evidence of a high level of competence working internally and externally with colleagues and business partners. Dedication – perception of excellence – understanding of culture and behaviour and original thinking.
The Independent Consultant
Winner: Ema Prisca, Vice President, Art Directors Club Romania, Romania
With over 26 years of experience and game-changing campaigns, her ability to turn the impossible into tangible results puts her at the top. From politics to social welfare, her global impact speaks volumes.
Equality Advocate of the year Award
Winner- Andy Morley, Chief Revenue Officer, The Independent, UK
If you want to hire for potential, you must put the framework in place to support that potential. Morley leads with actions and not words having had a phenomenal impact on The Independent’s culture.
He must also get credit for one of his key initiatives being the Independent’s ongoing partnership with Refuge, the domestic violence charity. Truly a leader of actions, not empty platitudes. A worthy winner.
The PR Communicator of the Year Award
Winner: Cara Hoenkhaus, Global Communications Manager, InfoSum, UK
From achieving a 125% increase in coverage to supercharging InfoSum’s event presence Cara has had a huge impact on InfoSum’s reach, relevance and reputation.
Marketing Scientist Award (Research)
Winner:Dr Nataliia Pysarenko(Lead Nominee), Exeter University, UK, USA, Denmark, Italy
Her work, in collaboration with her colleagues, is not just timely and fresh but also critically important in understanding the role of marketing during war. This extensive research, spanning several years, provides vital insights into building community resilience and critically examines the societal impact of marketing, highlighting its risks. Pysarenko et al.’s work is a powerful reminder of the crucial role marketing plays in societal functions, including its potential to contribute to peacebuilding and survival. I strongly recommend this work for a winning place, as its recognition is paramount. The work shows researchers’ courage and collective support to bring this vital research to a top publication in Marketing.
Creative Marketer of the Year Award
Winner: Yaa Boateng, MD and Chief Creative Officer, The Storytellers, Ghana
From design to typography, filmmaking and screenwriting, Yaa’s impressive portfolio reveals not only breadth but also depth of creative expertise and skills in marketing.
Her active industry leadership is emblematic of a brave up-and-coming cohort of young African women whose voice is growing louder in this challenging industry space and securing a seat for more at the proverbial table.
How she deploys her creative skills to advocate for the Ghana national brand, the Vlisco textile brand and others is an inspirational game changer. Her creativity is of international importance, impacting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people.
Jodanna Bird – Highly Commended, Head of Creative, Lounge, UK
Jodanna deserves recognition her bold leadership in championing women’s sexual health, a topic often seen as taboo. Her inspiring work highlights the power of creativity and bravery in a data-driven world where innovation can sometimes take a back seat.
The WIM Copywriting Award
Winner: Emily Lyhne – Gold, Senior Copywriter, Cuckoo, UK
Wonderful writing – warm all over, and witty in all the right ways. It’s not easy to write copy that reads easily but everything in this entry feels casual, conversational and clear. And the tone feels fresh for the category too.
The WIM Brand Copywriting Award
Winner: Mel Barfield, Freelance Copywriter, UK
Brilliantly presented guidelines from start to finish – love seeing the what and the how so neatly explained throughout, making the whole document educational in more ways than one. It’s clear how much effort has gone into every page – it’s so comprehensive yet neat. Informative, interesting and inspiring too. Excellent work.
The Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Marketing – Brand
Winner: Dr. Charlene Thomas, SVP of Marketing, Def Jam Recordings, USA
It is truly remarkable to recognise that the tremendous success of some of the world’s biggest cultural personal brands has been orchestrated by a woman. Her long-standing career sets a benchmark for aspiring female executives in the $28 billion music industry. Furthermore, her impressive educational credentials and active participation in industry organisations as well as the value that the global industry places on her as a thought leader underscore her expertise and influence. Many of the global music personalities whose global personae she has shaped are among the top endorsement attractors, wielding significant influence in marketing, advertising, film, media, and streaming. She is undoubtedly the “Curator of the Culture.”
The Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Marketing – Agency
Winner: Jennifer Quigley-Jones, Founder and CEO, Digital Voices, UK
Jenny is doing exceptional work running an influencer marketing agency that champions unapologetically inclusive marketing. Her deep commitment to diversity and representation sets her apart, ensuring all voices are heard while providing clients with comprehensive solutions to meet their brand needs. Additionally, her dedication to job creation within the creative economy empowers creators and influencers, fostering new opportunities for growth and building a vibrant community. Jenny is redefining the landscape of influencer marketing, making it more inclusive and impactful. The global reach, revenue and scale of her business makes her a worthy winner in this category.
The WIM Company Award
Winner: JLR, UK/Global
Bravo! Wonderful to hear how JLR has increased female representation across levels of seniority, investing in meaningful policies (52 weeks fully paid maternity leave) and ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion – across 14 global employee-led groups.JLR embody the essence of the “We Will” WIM Inclusion pledge illustrated by their policies and implementation regarding flexible working, the menopause, onsite pre-school/nursery facilities and more.