Advertising News South Africa

Top of their class - AAA students excel

The top 2009 graduates of the Johannesburg campus of the AAA School of Advertising were honoured at the graduation ceremony late last week at the University of Witwatersrand's Linder Auditorium in Parktown.

Xoliswa Ndungane, GM BMW Brand (South Africa) and AAA alumni, delivered the opening speech on Friday, 5 March 2010. Trophies were awarded to top students in eleven categories ranging from Top Art Direction and Top Copywriting to the Best Radio Spot (a full list is included below). Y&R and Danone Clover sponsored this year's winning campaign.

“With the economy on the upturn, advertising in this country is very much alive and well,” says Ludi Koekemoer, principal and MD of AAA. “I have no doubt that many of these graduates are going to quickly make their mark and establish themselves in the industry.”

Award Categories


  • Jupiter Drawing Room Trophy for best Art Direction student: Clayton Swartz;
  • Best Graphic Design student award, given by Think: Mzikayise Sithole;
  • Hunt Lascaris Trophy to the best Copywriting student: Jeanine Vermaak;
  • J Walter Thompson Trophy for best Account Management student: Bradley Seaton-Smith;
  • Yellowwood Trophy for the top Brand Management student: Leroy Khoza;
  • AMASA Trophy for the top Media Management student: Natasja Snyman;
  • Sonovision Award to student who wrote the best radio spot: Dina van Wyk;
  • Red Rocket Trophy to the overall top Creative student: Mzikayise Sithole;
  • Roger Sinclair Trophy to the top Advertising student: Siyanda Rudnansky;
  • Faculty head award for most improved student - Creative: Archibald Shipanga;
  • Faculty head award for most improved student - Marketing: Cebo Mthembu;
  • Zenith Brandfile Campaign trophy: Africa Nkosi; Molebogeng Mogotsi; Thembeka Dhlamini; Michelle Engelbrecht and Jeanine Vermaak;
  • Aon Award, given to the Top Overall student: Jeanine Vermaak.

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