SEE WHO’S AT THE TOP – THE GEN NEXT WINNERS, FINANCIAL MAIL’S TOP YOUNG ANALYST AND SUNDAY TIMES IS GIVING AWAY A TRIP TO ZANZIBAR.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the “coolest” of them all?

The 11^th Sunday Times Generation Next Survey Awards were handed out in style. The event, sponsored by Waltons, was held at the Sandton Convention Centre in partnership with HDI Youth Marketeers. The awards are a glam affair and the platform for youth marketing, brands and celebrities is growing at a rapid pace.

HDI’s survey recognises SA’s best and “coolest” brands – including products and celebrities – as voted for by 5 400 funky young people between the ages of 8 and 23. The event matched the young and vibey target market with Riaad Moosa as the MC and a live performance from Cassper Nyovest.

The big cheese for the night was Nike, who ran away with the title of Coolest Brand Overall. Nike also won awards for the Coolest Clothing Brand, Coolest Footwear Brand and the Coolest Brand Slogan.

Trevor Ormerod, GM: Group Sales at Times Media said, “The Awards have received a massive response each year and highlight the relevance that these insights hold for both marketers and brands. We’ve seen some impressive shifts in position amongst some brands, especially those that have come out on top this year, challenging their competitors to stay on top of their game.”

Here is a list of some of this year’s new winners:

• Mercedes Benz – Coolest Motor Vehicle
• Cape Town – Coolest Holiday Destination
• KFC – Coolest Fast Food Place
• Samsung – Coolest Cellphone
• DStv – Coolest Company
• Xbox – Coolest Hi-Tech Gadget
• Skeem Saam – Coolest Current TV Programme and Coolest TV Soap
• AB de Villiers – Coolest Local Sportsperson
• Minnie Dlamini – Coolest Local Female TV Star
• DJ Black Coffee – Coolest Local DJ
• Trevor Noah – Coolest Male TV Star and Coolest Local Celebrity
• Nestle Milo – Coolest Breakfast Cereal
• Pin Pop – Coolest Sweets
• Soul City – Coolest Community Programme
• Whatsapp – coolest Social Media Platform and Coolest Cellphone Application
• Monster Energy – Coolest Energy Product or Drink

Jason Levin, MD at HDI Youth Marketeers said, “This year’s crop of winners shows us, again, that youth are and aren’t fickle. Coke, Dorito’s, Vodacom, Spur, Trevor Noah and Minnie Dlamini are all still on the podium. But BMW surprisingly was toppled, and there are some other fresh new faces on the winners’ list too. But more importantly, every year has been amazing to see the awards platform and the event itself really springboard to the next level.”

Here is a list of the tops who kept their spots:

• Metro FM – Coolest Radio Station
• SAA Coolest Domestic Airline
• FNB – Coolest Bank
• Protea Hotels – Coolest Hotel Group
• Vodacom – Coolest Telecomms Provider
• Engen – Coolest Petrol Station
• Spur – Coolest Eat-Out Place
• Pick ‘n Pay – Coolest Grocery Store
• Doritos – Coolest Snack
• Coca Cola – Coolest Cold Drink
• Mr Price – Coolest clothing store

The survey was conducted across seven regions including Eastern Cape, Free Sate, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West and Western Cape.

The Sunday Times Generation Next Brand Survey results were published as a supplement in the Sunday Times on 10th May.

 

Financial Mail’s Top Analyst Awards Programme to Include Young Analyst Category

Financial Mail’s Top Analyst Awards, previously known as Ranking the Analyst, are introducing a new category to recognise the achievements of young professionals. The winner of the new Best Young Analyst award will be recognised for the best equity and non-equity research on the 27^th May 2015.

The awards are well known as the “Oscars” of the finance world and have become the benchmark for quality for institutional stockbrokers. The new Top Young Analyst award will go to an analyst under the age of 30 to create a platform for young stars to be recognised and celebrated in a cut throat industry of experienced professionals.

Tim Cohen, Financial Mail editor says, “We are proud to have hosted the ranking the analyst research for the past few years. The research has become a benchmark of excellence in the financial industry, and we hope and trust it helps improve transparency and understanding of financial analysis.”

Financial Mail is introducing a new ranking system in the corporate access division, which will see a total of 44 research sectors acknowledged. The top prize is the coveted title of Top Analyst of the Year.

“We are excited about the new category and that we can assist towards creating a platform to profile up and coming talent, and be part of the Young Analysts’ journey towards becoming the investment leaders of the future,” says Andrew Philbrick, INET BFA CEO.

For the first time tickets will be on sale to attend the Awards ceremony at the Inanda Club in Sandton on 27 May 2015.

 

Sunday Times gives you a chance to WIN a seven-day trip to Zanzibar

Look out for this fun reader competition in the Sunday Times. The competition started on the 3^rd of May, but there is still time to find entry code words in the text.

Entry code words will be published in the Sunday Times every second week, starting May 17, and the more times you enter, the better your chances of being part of the team that gets to dig for treasure!

30 lucky teams will fly to the exotic island of Zanzibar from November 28 to December 5, 2015. Here they will stay at the luxurious Emerald Collection’s Dreams of Zanzibar Hotel, and compete in activities to earn lucky keys. One lucky key will open the treasure chest and that team will win R500 000 in cash and R250 000 worth of NWJ Jewellers vouchers.

Look out for competition ads in the Sunday Times and you can also enter by logging onto www.DStv.com/treasurehunt or www.africastay.com.  Remember, the more times you enter, the better your chances of winning!

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