Financial publication Forbes Africa has launched an awards initiative that aims to drive the thriving African advertising industry to new heights.

The nominees of the Forbes Africa AdAwards will be determined by public voting, which closes soon on 14 September.

The awards’ aim is to “acknowledge agencies across Africa as viable businesses, while still producing creative and effective campaigns”.

The magazine hopes this will help drive agencies “to new levels of performance with the goal of not only becoming a part of the prestigious Forbes lists but being ranked amongst the top listed in Africa.”

Some of the categories in the awards include:

•    Forbes Africa Network Agency of the Year
•    Forbes Africa Advertising Leader of the Year
•    Africa Agency of the Year
•    Campaign of the Year, Africa
•    Brand of the Year, Africa
•    Celebrity of the Year, Africa
•    Sustainable Brand of the Year, Africa

The awards will take place on 8 November 2012 in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The judging panel consists of six industry experts, including SuperSport CEO Happy Ntshingila, Forbes Africa managing editor Chris Bishop and Odette van der Haar, CEO of the Association for Communication & Advertising (ACA).

A special Forbes Africa AdAwards publication will accompany the magazine’s November 2012 edition.

Forbes Africa launched in October 2011 and is currently available in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria. 

To nominate advertising agencies you believe deserve recognition, visit the Forbes Africa AdAwards website.