Official shortlist for the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2012

Particular mention is made of Absa, with the company securing three places from six on the shortlist of the prestigious Award for Best Sponsorship of a Sport Event or Competition, with MTN, Vodacom, SAB and The Sharks amongst the other big-name brands to receive multiple nominations.

The 2012 awards will once again be held at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on 23 February 2012 when nominees will hear who are the winners in each category as well as winners of the three judges' categories - The Johnnie Walker Lifetime Achievement Award, the SuperSport Outstanding Contribution to SA Sport and Virgin Active Entrepreneur of the Year.

Shortlist

Best sponsorship of a sport event or competition - sponsored by 26 Degrees South

• Absa - Absa Cape Epic
  
• Absa - Absa Currie Cup
  
• Absa - Absa Premiership
  
• Hi-Tec - The Otter African Trail Run
  
• MTN - MTN8 Wafa Wafa
  
• Sansui -Sansui Summer Cup

Best sponsorship of a sport team or individual - sponsored by Neo Africa

• Absa - Absa Springboks
  
• Canterbury - SARU, including the Springboks
  
• DHL - DHL Stormers
  
• MTN - MTN Lions
  
• Vodacom - Kaizer Chiefs
  
• Vodacom - Orlando Pirates

Best use of PR in a sport campaign - sponsored by Peermont Hotels, Casinos & Resorts

• MTN - MTN8 Wafa Wafa
  
• Nike - Kaizer Chiefs kit launch
  
• NBA - NBA Basketball Without Borders Africa
  
• SAIDS - I Play Fair 'Say No To Doping'
  
• SARU - Springbok Fans Unite
  
• SASOL - SASOL Banyana Banyana

The Virgin Unite Community Programme Award

• Ajax Cape Town FC - Ajax Cape Town FC Community Scheme
  
• Central Gauteng Squash - CG Squash Development
  
• JAG Foundation - JAGRugby Programme
  
• JAG Foundation - ProNutro JAGRunners Programme.
  
• Sporting Chance - KIA Street Soccer Programme
  
• Telkom - Telkom Rural Splash 'Learn To Swim'

Best use of digital communications in sport

• Absa - Absa Springbok 'Team of Millions'
  
• SAB - Castle Lager - 'Amajita on Tour'
  
• SAIDS - I Play Fair 'Say No To Doping'
  
• SARU - Springbok Fans Unite
  
• Telkom - Telkom Knockout
  
• Vodacom - Vodacom Shosholoza Campaign

Best TV sport commercial - sponsored by True Colour

• Absa - Absa Springbok 'Team of Millions'
  
• Garmin - Garmin Fitness Glory
  
• SARU - Know The Game, Love The Game
  
• SuperSport - New Football Season
  
• The Sharks - The Sharks Ultimate Rugby

Virgin Atlantic best business performance by a sport team

• Chevrolet Warriors
  
• DHL Stormers
  
• Vodacom Blue Bulls

Sport brand of the year - sponsored by Repucom

• Canterbury
  
• EFC Africa
  
• Nike
  
• SuperSport
  
• The Blue Bulls
  
• The Sharks

Best integrated sport marketing campaign - sponsored by Prosport International

• Absa - Absa Springbok 'Team of Millions'
  
• Castle Lager - Castle Lager SuperFans
  
• Garmin - Garmin Fitness Glory
  
• SAB - Carling Black Label 'Be The Coach'
  
• The Sharks - The Sharks Ultimate Rugby
  
• Vodacom - Vodacom Red Campaign

Sport agency of the year - sponsored by Gallo Images

• Brand inc Creative Group
  
• Exp (South Africa)
  
• Matchworld
  
• MSCSPORTS
  
• SAIL Rights Commercialisation
  
• Treble Group
  
• Trinergy Brand Connectors

Sport participation event of the year

• Bidvest Unity Walk
  
• Comrades Marathon
  
• Discovery 702 Walk The Talk
  
• JP Morgan Corporate Challenge
  
• Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge
  
• Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

For more, go to www.sportindustry.co.za.