As digital transformation initiatives continue to achieve sustained progress across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the future looks bright for every sector aiming to capitalise on digital capabilities and technologies. Many industries are benefitting from increased digital innovation, with a series of impactful initiatives reshaping competitive business landscapes. The MENA Digital Awards (MDA), the acclaimed bespoke awards show that promotes the region’s best digital innovation and media projects, has reaffirmed this positive outlook – showcasing the widespread excellence currently being implemented by brands in all related areas.
Across several categories, MDA has recognised creative brands for their achievements, which include elevating client profiles, helping them meet strategic objectives, and driving innovation, revenues, and economic growth. The projects honoured are sure to set new benchmarks, serving as inspirational examples for others to emulate moving forward.
“As we look ahead to the new digital era, it is encouraging to see so many transformation projects being translated from concept to reality through digital innovation,” said Najla Semaan Mazboudi, MDA’s founder. “The resounding success we are witnessing is revolutionary, demonstrating to all of us that anything is possible through the winning combination of creativity, preparation, collaboration, and hard work. Campaigns that deliver impressive results and far-reaching impacts always deserve to be celebrated, and we are delighted to highlight their contributions to a wider audience at the regional level. Without question, numerous segments are tremendously placed to make full use of opportunities that present themselves over the coming years. In the meantime, we are committed to playing our part in laying the foundations for a bright future by providing platforms for continuous success.”
Every year, MDA invites all digital players to participate by submitting their projects. There are seven categories – Performance, Mobile, Social Media, Digital Assets, Digital by Sector, Integrated, and Special – and projects are not restricted to entry in one specific area. Furthermore, there are three other awards that recognize brands for their impact and influence in digital innovation – Agency of the Year, Network of the Year, and Grand Prix. The judging criteria aligns with international standards to guarantee the highest quality and calibre of work is considered, with Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes provided to the winners. The shortlist and selection jury consists of internationally recognised digital experts, and any valid digital work that aligns with the entry categories is welcomed.
| MENA Digital Awards Winners As Per Category | ||||||
| Category | Entrant Company | Entry Title | Brand | Client | Support Agencies | Prize |
| Best Use of Social Media on a medium budget between USD 20,001-100,000 | FP7 / RUH | Be a Man | Be a Man | Al Arabiya Outdoor Advertising Company | Magna | Gold |
| Netizency | Ready. Set. Goal!. | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Silver | ||
| Netizency | Lenovo’s Digital Scavenger Hunt | Lenovo | Lenovo Middle East & North Africa | Bronze | ||
| Best Use of Social Media on a small budget of USD 20,000 | Netizency | Olivia Gets Hired | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Gold | |
| Amber Communication | Noor | Emirates Refining Co. LTD | Silver | |||
| MPN | Monopoly Dubai launch campaign | Monopoly Dubai (Hasbro) | Dubai Holding | Bronze | ||
| Best Performance Campaign | Netizency | Winter is Coming | WAVO | OSN | Gold | |
| FP7 / RUH | Decision Impossible | Ford | Aljazirah Vehicles Agencies | Magna Global | Silver | |
| Fusion5 | Wetex | Wetex | DEWA | Bronze | ||
| Best Use of Data | UM MENA | 100+ reasons to use Listerine | Listerine | Johnson and Johnson | JWT & Adlib | Gold |
| Accenture Interactive | Carrefour Data Focus (MyClub) | MAF Carrefour | MAF Carrefour | Silver | ||
| Accenture Interactive | Etisalat B2B Marketing Services | Etisalat B2B | Etisalat | Bronze | ||
| Best Search Marketing Campaign | Chain Reaction | Alone we are delicious, together we are YUM | KFC | KFC ME | Gold | |
| Initiative MENA | Mobily Search | Mobily | Mobily | Silver | ||
| Magna Global | Dubai Properties audience first approach to search | Dubai Properties | Dubai Properties Group | Bronze | ||
| Best Use of Video | Magna Global | There’s living, then there’s Madinat Jumeirah Living | Dubai Properties | Dubai Properties | FP7 McCann | Gold |
| Merkle | The Perfect Match | Kellog’s | Pringles | Carat MENA | Silver | |
| KKDD Film Production | Wing Walking | Vatika Hair Gel | Dabur International | Bronze | ||
| Best Viral Campaign | FLC Group | L”IV”E | The Irish Village | The Irish Village | Gold | |
| Best Use of Mobile | Leo Burnett | Yukon – Driven by context | General Motors | GMC | Gold | |
| Nove Cinemas | Nove Cinemas | Nove Cinemas | Nove Cinemas | Silver | ||
| Best Application (Mobile/Tablet) | Ooredoo Kuwait | My Ooredoo App Kuwait | Ooredoo Kuwait | Ooredoo Kuwait | Gold | |
| Ooredoo Oman | Ooredoo Oman App | Ooredoo Oman | Ooredoo Oman | Silver | ||
| Best Moile App | Like Digital DMCC | Like Digital DMCC for MUSE App by Chalhoub Group | MUSE by Chalhoub Group | Chalhoub Group | Gold | |
| Best Integrated Media Campaign | FP7 / RUH | Be a Man | Be a Man | Al Arabiya Outdoor Advertising Company | Magna | Gold |
| Fusion5 | DEWA Earth Hour | DEWA | DEWA | Silver | ||
| Fusion5 | DEWA Green Summer | DEWA | DEWA | Bronze | ||
| Best Integrated Digital Campaign | FP7 / RUH | Be a Man | Be a Man | Al Arabiya Outdoor Advertising Company | Magna | Gold |
| Mubadala Investment Company | DetermiNATION Short Film | Mubadala Investment Company | Mubadala Investment Company | Silver | ||
| Crowd | #iFoundRAK | Visit Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Department Authority | Bronze | ||
| Best Web Platform | Digitas UK | Saudi Aramco: An extraordinary storytelling platform | Saudi Aramco | Saudi Aramco | Gold | |
| House of Comms Marketing Management | Seera Group (Al Tayyar Group) Websit Redevelopment | Seera | Seera Group | Silver | ||
| Like Digital DMCC | Like Digital DMCC for Kerzner International, websites, all brands | One&Only, Atlantis, The Royal Atlantis Residences, Mazagan Beach Resort, Kerzer International | Kerzner International | Bronze | ||
| Digital Activation | UM MENA | 100+ reasons to use Listerine | Listerine | Johnson and Johnson | JWT & Adlib | Gold |
| Tactical | Swipe (Right) To Dublin | Jameson | Pernod Ricard Gulf | Silver | ||
| Best Use of Technology | UM MENAT | The Mega Prepaid | STC | STC | JWT & Adlib | Gold |
| B.U.T | Immersive showcase at GITEX 2019 | B.U.T | B.U.T | Silver | ||
| Digital Cause Marketing | FP7 / RUH | Be a Man | Be a Man | Al Arabiya Outdoor Advertising Company | Magna | Gold |
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Automotive | Leo Burnett | Yukon – Driven by context | General Motors | GMC | Carat MENA | Gold |
| Crayons Global Media & Consultancy | Nissan Patrol Unlock The Code | Nissan | Y.K. Al Moayyed Group | Silver | ||
| FP7 / RUH | Decision Impossible | Ford | Aljazirah Vehicles Agencies | Magna Global | Bronze | |
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Oil and Gas | Digitas UK | Saudi Aramco: An extraordinary storytelling platform | Saudi Aramco | Saudi Aramco | Digitas UK | Gold |
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Technology/telecommunications | Netizency | Disconnect to Reconnect | Lenovo | Lenovo | Gold | |
| Netizency | Lenovo Confessions | Lenovo | Lenovo Middle East & North Africa | Silver | ||
| Netizency | Lenovo’s Digital Scavenger Hunt | Lenovo | Lenovo Middle East & North Africa | Bronze | ||
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Financial and Banking | Netizency | Olivia Gets Hired | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Gold | |
| Netizency | Ready. Set. Goal!. | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Silver | ||
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – FMCG | Merkle | The Perfect Match | Kellog’s | Pringles | Carat MENA | Gold |
| Dabur International | Vatika Hair Styling Gels | Vatika Hair Gel | Dabur International | Ti22 Films and KKDD Films | Silver | |
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Media | FP7 / RUH | Be a Man | Be a Man | Al Arabiya Outdoor Advertising Company | Gold | |
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Healthcare | Blue Logic Digital Advertising | AI-DRIVEN Chatbot | Medcare | Medcare Hospitals | Gold | |
| Best Use of Digital by Sector Retail | Glimpse Digital Agency | Chaumet Campaign | Chaumet Arabia | Chaumet | Gold | |
| GRAND PRIX | ||||||
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Financial and Banking | Netizency | Olivia Gets Hired | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Gold | |
| AGENCY OF THE YEAR | ||||||
| Best Performance Campaign | Netizency | Winter is Coming | WAVO | OSN | Gold | |
| Best Use of Social Media on a small budget of USD 20,000 | Netizency | Olivia Gets Hired | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Gold | |
| Best Use of Social Media on a medium budget between USD 20,001-100,000 | Netizency | Ready. Set. Goal!. | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Silver | |
| Netizency | Lenovo’s Digital Scavenger Hunt | Lenovo | Lenovo Middle East & North Africa | Bronze | ||
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Financial and Banking | Netizency | Olivia Gets Hired | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Gold | |
| Netizency | Ready. Set. Goal!. | Liv. Bank | Liv. Bank | Silver | ||
| Best Use of Digital by Sector – Technology/telecommunications | Netizency | Disconnect to Reconnect | Lenovo | Lenovo | Gold | |
| Netizency | Lenovo Confessions | Lenovo | Lenovo Middle East & North Africa | Silver | ||
| Netizency | Lenovo’s Digital Scavenger Hunt | Lenovo | Lenovo Middle East & North Africa | Bronze | ||
| NETWORK OF THE YEAR | ||||||
| Best Search Marketing Campaign | Initiative MENA | Mobily Search | Mobily | Mobily | Silver | |
| Magna Global | Dubai Properties audience first approach to search | Dubai Properties | Dubai Properties Group | Bronze | ||
| Best Use of Data | UM MENA | 100+ reasons to use Listerine | Listerine | Johnson and Johnson | JWT & Adlib | Gold |
| Best Use of Video | Magna Global | There’s living, then there’s Madinat Jumeirah Living | Dubai Properties | Dubai Properties | FP7 McCann | Gold |
| Digital Activation | UM MENA | 100+ reasons to use Listerine | Listerine | Johnson and Johnson | JWT & Adlib | Gold |
| Best Use of Technology | UM MENAT | The Mega Prepaid | STC | STC | JWT & Adlib | Gold |
