By Prashirwin Naidu

Volkswagen’s Head of Marketing, Bridget Harpur, made a major impact last Friday at the Loeries, winning the prestigious Marketing Leadership and Innovation Award. This award recognises individuals for their exceptional marketing achievements over a long period. This honour comes after she was named Marketer of the Year at the Assegai Awards in 2023.

For Harpur, and Volkswagen by extensions, this industry recognition is a major milestone in her two-decade career. Known for her strategic thinking, she has been key in driving brand development, executing impactful campaigns, and leading successful teams, helping to keep Volkswagen as one of South Africa’s most awarded automotive brands for creative advertising.

Harpur’s advertising career began in 1998, during the peak of the much-loved VW Beetle. Starting in media strategy and account management, she quickly climbed the ranks. While working on the VW account, her passion for the brand grew. In 2009, she officially joined Volkswagen South Africa, working across marketing, sales, and rentals before returning to marketing three years ago.

Since then, Harpur has led several key campaigns, including The Blind Spot and VW Night School, aimed at improving road safety. “These passion projects reflect our team’s commitment to making a difference and saving lives,” she says.
Harpur’s vision is simple: to keep Volkswagen at the heart of South Africa while steering it towards a bright future.