Network reputation burgeons with highest tally scoop of 23 Awards
Dubai - JWT, the most awarded agency network in the Middle East, swept the board at the 2009 MENA Cristal Awards festival. In total JWT MENA won an unprecedented 23 Cristals including 2 Grand Prix and a Special Jury Mention at the festival in Mzaar resort in Faraya, Lebanon.
The Middle East and North Africa network topped the ranking tables for UAE and KSA, as well as leading the overall Network of the Year table by a huge margin. The awards were for campaigns for clients as varied as HSBC, Nokia, Mercedes/Gargash and the World Wildlife Fund. The agency received seven Marketing Cristals, while a Grand Cyber Cristal was awarded for work done for HSBC.
Indeed, such was the agency's dominance that its tally almost equaled that of the two runners up put together.
JWT's major wins came from its two Grand Prix which were a cyber prize for HSBC, featuring an irreverent website that asks "which type are you?", as well as a Marketing Services trophy for the HepAttitude hepatitis prevention charity, which showcased a truly innovative donations box. Its Special Jury Mention was awarded to work on the insurance group AIG, while other awarded clients included SAGIA, the Saudi Arabian Government Investment Agency, Nokia, Nestle, Diageo, Boeker, Casper & Gambini and IndyAct.
Commenting on the awards, Roy Haddad, Chairman and CEO for JWT MENA said: "the fact that our awards have come from no less than four offices, and cover a wide range of clients and disciplines, shows an agency that is innovative across the board."
Haddad's opinion is echoed by Ramsey Naja, Chief Creative Officer who added: "the majority of our wins have come from non-classical media, and this suggests we're pretty much future-ready. More than anything else, this is what fills me with pride. The guys haven't just worked hard, they have thought ahead."
Last year, JWT, who won the coveted Agency of the Year at the Dubai Lynx regional advertising awards, had also collected the lion's share of Cristal trophies.
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About JWT
JWT is the most awarded agency network in the Middle East. With a heritage of brand-building excellence, JWT, which celebrates its 143rd anniversary this year, ranks as the fourth-largest full-service network in the world. It was the first agency to be associated with anthropology and the study of consumer behaviour. Its parent company is WPP.
For more information, please contact:
Asad Abbasi
Buchanan Middle East
Mobile: 97150 4368618
Email: asad.abbasi@buchananme.com
Mary Khamasmieh
Media Relations Specialist
Buchanan Middle East
Mobile: +971 50 2731 753
Email: mary.khamasmieh@buchananme.com
© Press Release 2009
