Alliance Group Marketing Director Ronen Jackson, at only 29, walked away with the coveted Emerging Marketing Person of the Year, just reward for another stellar year’s performance by the group.

The awards, sponsored by ABSA and Vodacom, and overseen by a sixty three member high-level business council, are referred to as the Oscars of marketing, and justifiably so. The awards recognise and celebrate South African individuals, brands and campaigns that have raised the marketing bar and successfully implemented strategic marketing campaigns, taking into consideration true measures such as meeting marketing objectives related to image, innovation, creativity, pricing and distribution.

Five major marketing categories are focused on: Marketing Person of the Year, Marketing Organisation of the Year, Brand Marketing Campaign of the Year, Sponsorship Campaign of the Year and Emerging Marketing Person of the Year.

Said the judges of Jackson: ‘‘Not all marketing is glamour, ad agencies, Loeries and Cannes Grand Prix awards. Real marketers work in real businesses and help drive their profitability. Ronen Jackson is just such a marketer. As marketing director and a member of the Alliance Group board, Ronen has overseen sales revenue growth of 637% since January 2003. He has been instrumental in helping the business evolve from being perceived as a ‘one man show' into a multi-billion turnover success story.’’

"Well respected by his peers, Ronen believes that people are their business and has helped attract and retain a top team. In return he is widely respected and admired for his contribution to his company and its culture. He has freely given back to the industry, lecturing at the AAA and Vega School of Advertising as well as writing for industry publications.

‘‘It is hardworking marketers like Ronen in industries which are perhaps less glamorous than those we normally see lauded, who are the real backbone of marketing in this country. Instrumental to the success of the companies they work within, marketers such as Ronen epitomise the unsung heroes of South African marketing.’’

Rael Levitt CEO of the Alliance Group commented: “This recognition is a massive shot in the arm for us as we are on a fast moving track to position the Alliance Group as the comprehensive first choice means of sale offering a global reach, and we are all really chuffed for Ronen.’’

Other winners on the night were Absa, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Vodacom, Cell C, Levi’s, and Exclusive Books.