Mark Awards is an award with which the Marketing Network wants to promote professional role models, but also to contribute to the improvement and development of the profession in Serbia
The Marketing Network, for the second time in a row, will reward the most influential marketing and communication experts from companies in Serbia, as part of the Mark Awards project (powered by PepsiCo), which this year is being held on October 21 under the headline “Be Remarkable”.
The goal of the Mark Awards recognition is to encourage and motivate marketing and communication experts from companies in Serbia, but also to point out their potential, talents, creativity, and ability to achieve top business results and brand recognition. On this occasion, we spoke with Ivana Parčetić Mitić, Founder and CEO of the Marketing Network (Marketing mreža), who was also voted president of the Mark Awards jury this year.
Why are the Mark Awards different from other professional awards?
Mark Awards is an award with which the Marketing Network wants to promote professional role models, but also to contribute to the improvement and development of the profession in Serbia. Unlike other professional awards on the Serbian market, we award Mark Awards to individuals for personal business and professional success, that is, to individuals who have left their mark on the market of marketing communications in Serbia in the last year.
Who can be nominated for the prestigious Mark Awards?
After the very successful first edition of the Mark Awards, again this year, under the general sponsorship of PepsiCo, the Marketing Network will award recognition to experts from companies that have rejected the old ways of doing business and decided to be different. To professionals who have chosen to be extraordinary and to rise above the culture of sameness – with exceptional results. The Mark Awards continues to reward individuals for personal business and professional success, who leave a stellar mark on the market with their work, who are guiding stars in business and who, together with other bright stars, form the brightest constellations, visible to all in this business sky of ours. We will reward individuals who inspire, motivate and encourage us to reach for the stars ourselves, which is what makes them exceptional.
All marketing and communication experts from companies in Serbia, who believe that their work and deeds have left their mark on the market of marketing communications in Serbia, had the opportunity to apply for the Mark Awards competition. Experts from companies could apply in one of 11 categories, personally or be nominated by one of their colleagues and associates.
In this way we set standards, promote good practices and business models, and as a market, we develop and progress
This year, the jury was – Aleksandar Goračinov, Partner, Evoke Group; Ivan Zeković, CEO, Carnex; Miloš Jovović, Director of Strategic Planning for Central Europe, PepsiCo; Marko Njavro, General Manager SBU Snacks, Atlantic Štark; Nataša Filipović, Managing Director, Ovation BBDO; Milivoj Đorđić, General Manager Adria Region, SmartPoint Adria; Milija Zeković, CEO, SBB Serbia and Telemach Montenegro; Neda Đokić, Managing Director, HEINEKEN Serbia; Olga Ristić, General Manager, Frikom; Srđan Lazović, General Manager, Philip Morris International (BiH & Montenegro); Iva Đurković, Managing Director, OMD Media & LUNA TBWA Belgrade; Vanja Cvetkov, Business Director, Centrade Cheil Adriatic; Violeta Kovačević, CEO, Mercator-S; Vuk Kosovac, Head of Retail, Executive Board Member, OTP banka Srbija.
Why is it important to highlight marketing and communication experts from companies and to what extent does their work contribute to market development?
Today, everything what companies do is focused on their employees, consumers, stakeholders. Their satisfaction is the company’s success. When making business and strategic decisions or creating new products/services, companies start from the needs of consumers and at the same time consider how the public will perceive them. This is precisely where the role of marketing and PR experts is crucial because they are the link between companies and the public. Their knowledge and experience are extremely important, so it is necessary to recognize them, reward them and appreciate their quality work. On the other hand, in this way we set standards, promote good practices and business models, and as a market, we develop and progress. After all, that is the reason why the Mark Awards were established.
What does it mean to achieve REMARKABLE business results today?
Today, exceptional business results are created by companies that have adapted their business to the needs of the environment in which they operate. A modern company must build its business today through digital transformation, people development and sustainable business culture. In today’s world, achieving exceptional results does not mean only numbers, but social responsibility, ecological world and caring for people.
*The general sponsor of the Mark Awards project is PepsiCo. The regional partner is Porto Montenegro, and the project was supported by MPC Properties, Propix, Evoke Group and LUNA\TBWA Belgrade. The partner agency is Ovation BBDO.
