It’s been a very eventful year in the Middle East and North Africa. We hope you’ve been keeping track. If not, here is a round-up of our most-read stories from 2015.
Coca-Cola offers excess baggage, opens happiness
Coca-Cola teamed up with Y&R Dubai and kicked off its ‘Wish upon a Coke’ this time last year and yet this still remains Camapign’s top story. Starting at Terminal 1 of Dubai Airport, its one-day activation sought to delight those flying back home in the peak holiday season in need of extra baggage allowance.
OMG MENA’s Elie Khouri gives 16 predictions for advertising in 2016
Khouri’s thoughts on 16 major trends everyone in the marketing services industry should be preparing for in 2016 was a big hit with readers as the industry readies itself for another tough year.
Advertising Agency of the Year: J. Walter Thompson Cairo
It’s only been on our website a week, but J. Walter Thompson Cairo’s crowning as Agency of the Year 2015 has been the third most popular of the year. Thanks to some tandout work, innovation, a titanium at Cannes and a string of new business wins, JWT Cairo on its best-form in 2015 and we cannot wait to see what’s in store from them for 2016.
Dubai Lynx 2015: Leo Burnett Beirut is Agency of the Year
In terms of new business and growth, it was not been Leo Burnett Beirut’s best year. However on the creative front, they produced some stellar work that couldn not have been more rewarded during 2015’s award season, starting on home turf here in Dubai.
J. Walter Thompson Cairo wins EgyptAir
One of just many big wins for JWT Cairo this year was the global marketing communications mandate for Egypt’s national carrier EgyptAir.
Y&R Dubai promotes Patankar and Chagla as joint ECDS
Two of the biggest movers and shakers of 2015 were Kalpesh Patankar and Ash Chagla, who were promoted to as joint executive creative directors of Y&R Dubai.
Nicole Kidman stars in Etihad global ad campaign
Who doesn’t love a celebrity? Local fliers certainly seem to with Emirates snapping up Friends lovely Jennifer Aniston and Etihad’s ‘Flying Reimagined’ campaign featuring Oscar-winning Aussie Nicole Kidman. Created by M&C Saatchi Australia, the campaign sees Kidman fly around the world, including Etihad’s homeground of Abu Dhabi, in the airline’s flagship Airbus A380.
Jabbour named GroupM’s first regional CEO
The arrival of GroupM’s inaugural CEO Filip Jabbour piqued some interest to say the least. As the world’s largest media company in terms of billings, his arrival was sure to make some waves. Less than three months later MediaCom MENA’s CEP Nick Barron was out and Google’s Tarak Abdalla was in. Watch this space to see if 2016 will bring further shake-up.
How Lebanese indie band Mashrou’ Leila and Leo Burnett Beirut created the ‘music of the night’
Lebanese indie band Mashrou’ Leila collaborated with Leo Burnett Beirut to create this hypnotic concept behind their fourth album, Ibn El Leil (Son of the Night). Broadcast live across the Arab world by MTV Lebanon, the concert and album have catapulted Mashrou’ Leila further onto the world stage, cementing their position as the region’s most successful indie group.
Dubai Lynx 2015: ‘If everybody loves your work, you’re playing it way too safe’ – David Carson
Graphic design guru and former professional surfer David Carson pulled in a huge crowd at Dubai Lynx back in March. And those who could not make his talk flocked to Campaign to read his thoughts of experience and experiment.
