CSC Consultant

The KitKat Heist helps VML UK and KitKat lead Gerety's 2026 global rankings. Gerety's new Global Titles recognise the companies behind this year's awarded work. VML UK was named Agency of the Year, while NoA took both independent titles and Amazon Cross-Channel Marketing led the in-house ranking. Reading Time: 2 mins read One campaign helped put both an agency and a brand at the top of the Gerety Awards global rankings. After The KitKat Heist won two Grand Prix, VML UK was named Global Agency of the Year and KitKat took Global Brand of the Year. The announcement gives a broader view of this year's results. Gerety had already revealed the winning campaigns and the companies leading each region; its Global Titles now recognise the agencies, networks, production companies and brands whose credited work performed strongest worldwide. VML was named Global Network of the Year, reflecting awarded work from its agencies across multiple markets. The network also took regional titles in North America, Latin America and Europe. The two independent titles went to the same group. Stockholm-based NoA Åkestam Holst was named Global Independent Agency of the Year, while NoA took Global Independent Network of the Year. "We come from a small market, but we've never had small ambitions," said Stephanie Moradi, Creative Director at NoA Åkestam Holst. "To be named the world's Independent Agency of the Year is an incredible recognition of everyone at NoA | Åkestam Holst, and proof that great ideas can travel a very long way." TEMPOMEDIA led the worldwide production company ranking, earning the title of Global Production Company of the Year based on its credits across awarded work. Amazon Cross-Channel Marketing was named Global In-House Agency of the Year. Gerety calculates the titles using points for Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, Bronze and shortlisted entries. Points are assigned according to the official credits, so the rankings recognise the companies responsible for the work, regardless of who submitted it. More than 250 judges from over 50 countries took part in this year's awards. The new ranking also shows why The KitKat Heist remains central to the 2026 results. Its two Grand Prix were first a win for a campaign; in the global tally, they helped carry both VML UK and KitKat to the top of their fields.

African Parks appoints VML South Africa as digital agency partner. 22 Sep 2026 10:00 Marketing 85 Conservation NGO African Parks has partnered with VML South Africa with the aim to share the stories, celebrate the partnerships and highlight conservation outcomes across its portfolio. Through the partnership, African Parks aims to deepen engagement with supporters and audiences around the world, bringing greater visibility and understanding to the long-term work being undertaken with governments, local communities and other partners to conserve some of Africa's most critically important landscapes. Africa is home to a quarter of the world's biodiversity. Well-managed protected areas can help safeguard this natural heritage while supporting ecological, social and economic resilience over the long term. As a non-profit conservation organisation, African Parks says it takes on responsibility for the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. It manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries, covering more than 20-million hectares across terrestrial and marine landscapes. African Parks has appointed VML South Africa to support its digital strategy and help tell these stories more effectively. "We chose to partner with VML because they combine deep African insight with strong digital expertise and the reach of a global network," says Simon Camerer, Director of Marketing at African Parks. "Their presence in many of the markets where we work gives them a valuable understanding of our context. We look forward to working together to tell the stories of these landscapes, and the people and partnerships behind them, with greater clarity and impact." Growing digital storytelling. VML's remit includes B2B and B2C digital marketing strategy and communications, website and mobile design and development, social media and CRM. Advertising will be supported by VML's sister agency, WPP Media. "We are really excited to be partnering with African Parks," says Astrid Ascar, New Business Director at VML South Africa. "The combination of rich storytelling and digital craft is such a natural fit for us, and the opportunity to build awareness of the tremendous and challenging work being done across Africa has touched a very personal and passionate chord in our teams." "This is work that marketers embrace - a combination of craft and creativity that can truly make a difference for generations to come," adds Ascar. Across the protected areas where African Parks works, 83% of key species have increased or stabilised populations, 69% achieved in the Constituency for Conservation Index (reporting a positivity score of people's perceptions and attitudes towards the protected area), and there have been almost 200 000 paying visitors to the parks (of which 59% were local). These outcomes are underpinned by long-term partnerships with governments and local communities, locally grounded decision-making and strong national representation: 97% of employees are nationals of the countries in which they work. The digital partnership will help share this work and the people behind it with audiences locally and globally. "Digital channels are central to how we communicate African Parks' purpose and the work of our partners and teams," concludes Camerer. "Through this partnership with VML, we aim to tell these stories more effectively, engage new and younger audiences, and deepen understanding and support for long-term conservation across Africa." *Image courtesy of contributor African Parks VML South Africa Simon Camerer WPP Media Astrid Ascar Conservation Digital Strategies Cheryl hunter. No information available

VML names Mike Elenterio as Strategy Director. VML has named Mike Elenterio as Strategy Director, bringing his experience in brand strategy, advertising, and experiential marketing to the agency. Elenterio joins VML after working at Giant Spoon, where he served as Director, Strategy. His work there included strategic responsibilities across brand and experiential campaigns, including HBO's "House of the Dragon" campaign, where he was credited as part of the strategy team. His background places him across strategy and creative marketing, with experience working on campaigns that connect brands with cultural moments and audience experiences. The move to VML adds another layer of strategic experience to an organization that brings together brand experience, customer experience, commerce, data, technology, and creative capabilities. The Strategy Director role comes as agencies continue to broaden the scope of strategic planning. Rather than focusing solely on traditional brand positioning, strategy teams increasingly work across customer journeys, commerce, data, digital experiences, and integrated campaign planning. VML's current strategy roles reflect this wider remit, with strategic leaders expected to connect business challenges with audience insights, research, omnichannel planning, measurement, and creative development. The agency also incorporates AI tools into its strategic workflows as part of its broader technology approach. Elenterio's move therefore adds experience from the experiential and creative agency environment to VML's strategy organization. His previous work across cultural and experience-led campaigns also reflects the growing overlap between brand strategy, creative development, and audience engagement. The appointment comes as advertising agencies continue to evolve strategy functions around increasingly connected marketing disciplines, with data, technology, commerce, and creative execution becoming more closely integrated into planning and client work.