As 2025 draws to a close, I extend my sincere appreciation to every member, partner, committee contributor, and industry stakeholder who has shaped another landmark year for IAB South Africa. This year has been defined by change, acceleration, and collaboration, and our community has met it with remarkable resilience and ambition.
Throughout 2025, we advanced the work that sits at the heart of IAB South Africa’s mission: strengthening standards, celebrating exceptional digital work, elevating digital maturity, and driving meaningful conversations across our ecosystem. From celebrating digital excellence at the 17th annual Bookmark Awards and the publishing of the country’s first Digital Rankings and the growth of our Insight Series to the publication of new Committee white papers and the expansion of our training and measurement initiatives, we have continued building the frameworks and guidance that help South African marketers, publishers, agencies, and platforms thrive.
This year also saw us deepen our focus on transparency, creator ethics, responsible innovation, and the future of audience understanding. With technology evolving at an extraordinary pace, I am proud that IAB South Africa remains a trusted, steady, and collaborative voice, one that supports our industry with clarity, credibility, and thought leadership.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our Councils and Committees, the generosity of our volunteers, and the engagement of our member organisations. Your expertise, commitment, and willingness to lean in are what make IAB South Africa a progress engine for the entire digital industry.
As we look to 2026, our priorities are clear: deepening our impact, expanding our measurement and insight capabilities, growing our membership value, strengthening skills development, modernising our corporate identity, and continuing to champion excellence through the Bookmark Awards and our ongoing thought leadership programmes.
Together, we will continue to build a digital ecosystem rooted in trust, innovation, and sustainable growth.
Thank you once again for your partnership and support. We wish you a restful break and a successful, inspired 2026!
Chris Borain, Executive Director of IAB South Africa,