Campaign Middle East hosted the fourth edition of the Agency of the Year Middle East Awards, recognising standout performance across advertising, marketing, media, creative, PR and communications. The Agency of the Year winners were announced at the awards ceremony on 11 December at SO/ Uptown Dubai. Winners of the Marketing Game Changers Awards were also presented with their trophies at the event, following last month’s announcement of the inaugural winners.
This year’s cohort raised the bar once again. From business growth and cultural transformation to meaningful progress on diversity, agencies showcased new models of agility – prioritising leaner structures, profit-sharing, and environments built on equity and recognition.
Judging was carried out over multiple rounds by a diverse panel of 44 client-side marketers, with every stage carefully audited by MediaSense (formerly PWC). Campaign Middle East’s editorial and commercial teams remained fully independent of the judging process. In categories where competition reached an exceptionally high standard, the jury also awarded Silver trophies in recognition of outstanding performance.
The awards themselves have grown significantly, attracting a record number of entries from 71 agencies across 11 markets. Notably, 41 agencies participated for the first time – a clear indication of the increasing appetite for recognition grounded in credibility, client confidence, innovation, culture and impact. These awards shine a light on far more than business results; they champion the people, processes and thinking that drive them.
The industry turned out in full force, with more than 500 attendees from across the region – including teams who flew in hoping to take home a trophy. Agencies from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq were celebrated for their achievements.
Opening the ceremony, Nadeem Quraishi, Publisher of Campaign Middle East, said: “Congratulations to each and everyone in this room who have been shortlisted tonight, who has measured themselves against the best in the region, demonstrating excellence in client service, diversity, and business results to inspire your agency’s future growth.”
Emma Campbell, Chair of Judges and Sector Marketing Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, added: “For weeks, we immersed ourselves in the achievements of the agencies in this room. We read about your innovative approaches, the tangible value you create for clients, and the exceptional craft of your work. More importantly, we could see the culture behind. It was profoundly impressive.”
Here’s a look at the agencies, teams and individuals who stood out – and a thank you to the partners who supported this year’s event: Bloomberg Media, DMS, Hypermedia, MiQ, Private Jet Media, Seedtag, The Vantage, Huda Beauty and African+Eastern.
Agency of the Year Middle East Awards winners 2025
PEOPLE, TEAMS AND CULTURE CATEGORIES
CSR Initiative of The Year
Impact BBDO
Account Person of The Year
Hossam Sherif, OMD UAE
Silver: Dima Zaytoun, Starcom Middle East
Arabic Copywriter of the Year
Manar Munjed, FP7 Mccann UAE
New Business Development Team Or Person Of The Year
The Growth And Innovation Team At Publicis Groupe Middle East
Strategic Planning Team Or Person Of The Year
SOCIALEYEZ
Silver: Catherine Bannister, TBWA\RAAD
Talent Management Individual Or Team Of The Year
People & Talent Team, MCN MENAT
Outstanding Woman In Advertising Or Media
Nada Abisaleh, Leo
Corporate Communications & Marketing Person Of The Year
The Corporate Communications Team Of Publicis Groupe Middle East
Creative Leader Of The Year
Ali Rez, Impact BBDO Group
Silver: Sebastian Boutebel, Saatchi & Saatchi MEA
Head Of Agency – Digital
Tarek Esper, SOCIALEYEZ
Head Of Agency – Creative
Nathalie Gevresse, Publicis Communications UAE
Silver: Reda Raad, TBWA\RAAD
Head Of Agency – PR
Tariq Al Sharabi, Cicero & Bernay
Head Of Network Award
Bassel Kakish from Publicis Groupe Middle East And Turkey
Best Place To Work In 2025
TBWA\RAAD
The Startup Or New Agency Of The Year
The Romans
Independent PR Agency Of The Year
Gambit Communications
Independent Media Agency Of The Year Award
Fusion5 Advertising
Independent Creative Agency Of The Year
The Hanging House
Silver: Tactical.
Best Agency – Egypt
UM Egypt
Silver: OMD Egypt
Best Agency – Jordan
Adpro& Group
Best Agency – Iraq
Brodmann
Best Agency – Oman
Kenshō Mindful Communications
Best Agency – Lebanon
Impact BBDO Lebanon
Best Agency – Qatar
OMD – Qatar
Silver: FP7 McCann Doha
Best Agency Of The Year – Saudi Arabia
UM – KSA
Best Agency – UAE
Gambit Communications
Silver: Saatchi & Saatchi MEA
Branding Agency Of The Year
Brand Lounge
Silver: Yellow Branding Consultancy
Social Media Agency Of The Year
SOCIALEYEZ
Production House Of The Year
LPS
Events, Experiential And Engagement Agency Of The Year
MCH Global
PR / Communications Agency Of The Year
The Romans
Silver: Brazen MENA
Performance Marketing Agency Of The Year
Fusion5 Advertising
Digital Agency Of The Year
Assembly
Media Agency Of The Year
Magna Global
Silver: OMD MENA
Integrated Marketing Agency Of The Year
Publicis Groupe Middle East And Turkey
Silver: Boopin
Creative Agency Of The Year
Impact BBDO
The Holding Company Of The Year
Publicis Groupe Middle East & Turkey
Campaign Middle East’s Agency of the Year Middle East Awards 2025, held under Motivate Media Group in partnership with Haymarket, marked another standout year for the region’s industry – congratulations to all the winners!
