By Clause Masika
Friday, December 5, 2025 — Kenya’s top marketers, brand leaders, digital innovators, and creative agencies converged at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi for the Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK) 2025 Annual Awards Gala, a showcase of the country’s most outstanding achievements in marketing excellence. The high-profile event, themed “Celebrating Innovation. Inspiring Excellence,” honored brands and professionals whose work defined and transformed Kenya’s marketing landscape over the past year.
The Gala brought together leading figures from the marketing, communication, media, technology, and creative sectors for a night that blended glamour, inspiration, and recognition. This year’s celebration underscored the growing sophistication of Kenya’s marketing industry—an industry increasingly driven by data, technology, creativity, and purpose-led brand building.
The ceremony was presided over by Patrick Kiburi Kilemi, Principal Secretary for Co-operatives, who served as the Chief Guest. In his keynote speech, Mr. Kilemi stressed the integral role of marketing in fostering industrial growth and national development. He praised the sector’s rapid evolution, noting that Kenya’s marketers are leveraging insights, innovation, and strategic thinking to drive competitiveness not only for brands but also for the broader economy.
“Marketing is no longer just about communication; it is about shaping industries, driving innovation, and supporting sustainable economic development,” he said. “Tonight’s winners have demonstrated what is possible when creativity, data, and purpose come together.”
Ensuring the awards’ credibility was a rigorous adjudication process led by Chief Judge Ken Kariuki, a respected industry leader. Mr. Kariuki emphasized that the 2025 awards attracted some of the strongest submissions in recent years, reflecting a maturing sector that continues to raise the bar.
“The depth of strategy, creativity, data application, and social impact demonstrated in this year’s entries made 2025 one of the most competitive editions in the history of the MSK Awards,” he noted. He added that the judging process adhered to strict standards of transparency and impartiality, reinforcing the Gala’s reputation as the gold standard for marketing recognition in Kenya.
This year’s winners were honored across a broad range of categories capturing the full scope of modern marketing. Key categories included Brand Communication Campaign of the Year, Integrated Marketing Campaign of the Year, New Product Launch of the Year, Experiential Marketing Campaign of the Year, Best Use of AI/Data in Marketing, Best Sustainability/CSR Campaign, and Digital Campaign of the Year. Others recognized excellence in media innovation, public sector marketing, influencer marketing, small-budget creativity, and marketing leadership, culminating in the prestigious Marketer of the Year Award and the Rising Star of the Year Award.
The evening featured a blend of elegant ceremony, strategic conversations, and celebrations of Kenya’s most compelling marketing stories—campaigns that not only achieved business growth but also delivered meaningful social impact. Attendees described the event as a valuable opportunity for industry networking, professional reflection, and inspiration.
During the Gala, the MSK leadership reiterated the organization’s mission to strengthen the marketing profession through ethical practice, continuous learning, and industry development. They highlighted MSK’s commitment to helping Kenya position itself as a regional hub for innovative, world-class marketing.
“Tonight, we have not only celebrated winners—we have celebrated ideas, courage, resilience, innovation, and the future of marketing in Kenya,” the leadership remarked, emphasizing the Society’s dedication to nurturing current and future marketing leaders.
As the event concluded, MSK expressed appreciation to the sponsors, partners, judges, entrants, and members whose contributions ensured the success and prestige of the 2025 Awards Gala. The Society reaffirmed its intention to continue championing excellence and raising standards across Kenya’s marketing ecosystem.
Founded as the national umbrella body for marketers, the Marketing Society of Kenya plays a central role in professional development, industry regulation, mentorship, and consumer protection through its Advertising Standards Board. Its long-term vision is to position marketing as “the force behind business in Kenya and beyond.”