First Judges Announced for WARC Awards Middle East & Africa 2025

WARC, the global leader in marketing effectiveness, has unveiled the first group of judges for the 2025 WARC Awards for Middle East & Africa, in partnership with LIONS. The prestigious awards celebrate the region's most effective and strategic marketing campaigns that have driven significant business growth.

The panel of industry experts represents a diverse mix of global and regional brands such as Heineken, Pernod-Ricard, Spur Corporation, and Sterling Bank. Notable agencies from across the region, including The Brand Company in Egypt, MullenLowe Dubai, and Belva Digital in Kenya, will also contribute their expertise to the judging process.

Nthabi Motsoeneng, Chief Marketing Officer for Africa and the Middle East at Pernod-Ricard, will serve as the jury chair. 

She expressed her excitement about the opportunity, stating, "Marketing Effectiveness is not an oxymoron! I'm looking forward to the journey and getting to know and learn from fellow judges of the WARC Awards 2025! Thank you to WARC for this opportunity. Can’t wait to meet the rest of the crew!"

John Bizzell, Awards Lead, WARC, added: “We’ve convened a fantastic jury of highly respected professionals from across the Middle East and Africa to bring expertise and cultural insight to the judging process. We very much look forward to working with them as they select the best work of the region that is strategically brilliant and delivers commercial impact.”   

The 2025 panel includes Nthabi Motsoeneng, Andrea Quaye (Marketing Director, Heineken, South Africa), Dara Abdul Hadi (Co-Founder, The Brand Company, Egypt), Fabrice-Mozart Amani (COO, Waribei, Ivory Coast), George Giessen (Head of Brands, MullenLowe MENA, UAE), and Manisha Bhatia (Head of Strategy, Impact BBDO, KSA & UAE). Other notable members include Maurice Igugu (CMO, Sterling Bank, Nigeria), Serah Mwikali Katusya (Founder & CEO, Belva Digital, Kenya), and Vuyo Henda (CMO, Spur Corporation, South Africa).

The WARC Awards MEA will follow WARC’s Creative Effectiveness and B2B Effectiveness Ladders to ensure consistent and rigorous judging. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be given across 12 categories, including Brand Purpose, Business-to-Business, Customer Experience, Long-term Growth, and Strategic Thinking.

The regional competition will also contribute to the selection of the Grands Prix, a prestigious accolade awarded by the chairs of WARC's regional awards across Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America, and MEA.