The accolade honours marketing leaders who have demonstrated exceptional impact on brands, businesses and the broader marketing industry. Croeser becomes only the second SAB marketer to receive this recognition, further cementing SAB's reputation as a leader in marketing excellence, says SAB.
Under Vaughan's leadership, SAB has delivered a series of impactful and award-winning campaigns, including Castle Milk Stout African Time, Castle Lager Fans that stood the test of time, Corona Sun Shadows and FIFA World Cup activations, among others. His approach has consistently combined consumer insight, creativity and commercial discipline to drive brand growth and business performance.
Commenting on the recognition, Croeser says, "This award belongs to the incredible teams behind our brands. One of SAB's greatest strengths is our ability to combine global scale with local relevance. We draw on world-leading marketing expertise from across our global network while empowering our teams to make bold, market-specific decisions. That balance has enabled us to build brands that connect deeply with consumers and deliver sustainable growth for the business. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and excited about what lies ahead."
Speaking on the accolade, Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank Chief Marketing Officer, a Loeries board member, adds, "Vaughan is the kind of marketer our industry needs more of. He consistently combines commercial rigour with creative courage, while never losing sight of the people, communities and culture that make brands meaningful. His influence extends far beyond SAB and continues to shape the standard of modern marketing in South Africa. He is a truly deserving recipient of the Loeries Marketer of the Year award."
Pepe Marais, Founder and Group Chief Creative Officer at Joe Public adds, "This award is long overdue. I've worked with Vaughan for more than a decade and watched him evolve into one of South Africa's most respected marketing leaders. What makes him exceptional is his unique ability to combine commercial pragmatism with creative ambition. He has an instinct for great ideas, the courage to back them, and the leadership ability to bring people with him. Vaughan challenges everyone around him to raise the bar while always treating people with respect. He is authentic, inspiring and relentlessly focused on excellence, which is why this recognition is so richly deserved."
Richard Rivett-Carnac, CEO of SAB, says, "Vaughan's recognition as Loeries Marketer of the Year is a well-deserved reflection of the strategic vision, creativity and leadership he brings to SAB every day. This achievement speaks not only to Vaughan's exceptional talent, but also to the strength of the marketing teams he leads and the enduring impact our brands continue to have on consumers across South Africa. Through a combination of consumer insight, commercial excellence and bold creativity, Vaughan and his team have consistently raised the bar for marketing effectiveness and brand building within our industry."
Reflecting on the achievement, Marcel Marcondes, ABInBev Global Chief Marketing Officer concludes, "Vaughan's recognition as Loeries Marketer of the Year is a testament not only to his leadership, but also to the world-class marketing talent we continue to cultivate across our business. The One ABI Way of Marketing ensures we deliver as one team with one standard, and the work by Vaughan and the SAB team shows how deep consumer understanding, creativity and commercial discipline come together to create consistent, compounding growth. This is exactly the kind of marketing excellence we seek to deliver on our strategy to lead and grow the category," concludes Marcel Marcondes, Global Chief Marketing Officer, AB InBev.
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*Image courtesy of contributor