The 2023 Annual SilverBack Awards are set to roll out new initiatives having locked a new partner in The Loeries Awards Company, which has more than four decades of administering awards for the brand communications industry.
During a Tuesday, August 8 press conference held to announce the partnership, Frank Muthusi, the chairman of the Uganda Advertising Association, said that he was excited about the achievements attained so far and noted that more categories will be added in this year's edition.
With experience of 45 years, Muthusi said The Loeries will be highly reliable on execution and they are also rolling out a digital platform that will facilitate the smooth submission of projects that will be assessed for awards.
“We are very excited to partner with Loeries and UMS. This year’s awards will be grander with more advertising, marketing, and Public Relations categories catered for," he said. "Loeries will provide us with a world-class judging platform, give us guidance and assist in the judging process hence setting the standards for the Silverback Awards even higher.”
The 2023 Annual SilverBack Awards will be held on November 18 and submissions will kick off in August though the exact dates are yet to be declared. They will be organised by the Uganda Advertising Association (UAA), Uganda Marketers Society (UMS), and The Loeries Awards Company.
Preetesh Sewraj, the chief executive of The Loeries, which is a non-profit operating in Africa and the Middle East, comes with a mission to ensure that work that will be recognized under Annual SilverBack Awards is able to win global awards. He said they "will bring a global level of governance" so as to celebrate creativity and excellence.
“We are so excited to bring a global level standard to the Silverback Awards which are already an amazing platform to recognise some of the best marketers and creatives from across Uganda and now we are here to help, assist and facilitate this work to ensure that the judging process and the governance around this is at the highest level itself," he said. "We are excited to see all the amazing entries and all the amazing work from across Uganda coming in to the Silverback Awards this year.”
David Balikudembe, the president of UMS, said: “The participation of the Uganda Marketers Society in this joint awards exercise with our sister body, in addition to enhancing industry credibility and recognition, holds immense significance for the marketing community. The collaborative approach fosters a culture of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional growth, ultimately elevating the status of marketing as a strategic driver of business success across diverse sectors.
"By celebrating excellence and creativity within a broader context, such initiatives empower marketers to transcend conventional boundaries and make a lasting impact on both their organizations and the industries they serve.”
The Awards serve as a platform to commend exceptional campaigns, outstanding professionals, and forward-thinking organizations that have pushed the boundaries of creativity and effectiveness. The awards ceremony will feature various categories spanning print, digital, television, radio, and integrated campaigns, providing an inclusive representation of the diverse talent and strategies within the industry.
