We Should Not Have Been Allowed To Have That Much Fun

- Austyn Allison

At the Dubai Lynx this year, 18 grands prix were awarded. And Impact BBDO not only saw its Dubai office named agency of the year for the second time in two years, but also went one better, taking network of the year for BBDO Worldwide.

The Lynx titles come on top of a good year for the agency. When the Big Won rankings were published in January, Impact BBDO Dubai was the most awarded agency in the MENA region.

However, the network took home no grands prix from the Lynx. The much-tipped “Lies” and “Sabotage” spots for Centrepoint took a gold and two silvers in film craft and a gold in film. The Valentine’s spots for Visa went unrewarded, although “I have nothing special” and “So strange” for the same client won a bronze in film.

Omnicom sister agency OMD Dubai walked away with media agency of the year, largely on the back of BBDO’s success.

Memac Ogilvy came second in both agency of the year for its Dubai office and network of the year for its regional network. The network picked up a branded content and entertainment grand prix for Nestle’s “Tummy fish”, the inaugural innovation grand prix for “Spuble” and the public relations grand prix for its “Trump” campaign for Royal Jordanian.

Memac Ogilvy’s group chief creative officer Paul Shearer says: “Winning a grand prix is the most important thing for an idea. It gives you confidence to enter heavily at Cannes.” He says that, “you never really know what will win, but with experience you have a good feeling”.

This year, Shearer was hoping for four grands prix, and says one winner was “a surprise” while one of his picks won silver. “It’s sometimes a lottery,” he admits.