FP7 McCANN MENAT has emerged as the only agency from the MENA region to secure a win at the prestigious International ANDY Awards, taking home an ANDY in the Idea category for its Not for the First Dates campaign for McDonald’s UAE.
One of the most respected honours in global creativity, the ANDY Awards celebrate ideas that set the benchmark for industry worldwide. FP7 McCANN’s recognition places regional creativity firmly on that stage, reinforcing the network’s continued ability to produce work rooted in local truth with global relevance.
Created for McDonald’s UAE, Not for the First Date was built on a simple but relatable cultural insight: love and connection are rarely formed through grand gestures or polished first impressions. They are built in the everyday moments that follow – in spaces of comfort, familiarity, humour and authenticity.
The campaign portrayed couples across different life stages, from young pairs sharing laughs to long-term partners enjoying the ease of companionship, all anchored by the line: “Not for the first date. But for every other one.”
Tarek Miknas, CEO of FP7 McCANN MENAT, said: “To be the only agency from our region recognised at The ANDYs is a proud moment, not just for FP7 McCANN, but for the creative community across the region. It reflects the growing strength of ideas coming from this part of the world – work that is culturally grounded, commercially effective, and globally competitive. We have always believed the region has stories worth telling, and such recognition only proves it.”
By reframing McDonald’s as the setting for real relationships rather than performative ones, the campaign turned an everyday brand truth into a resonant human story – one that connected deeply with audiences and stood out on the global stage.
The recognition also comes in a milestone year for the agency, with Federico Fanti, Regional Chief Creative Officer of FP7 McCANN MENAT, serving as the Regional SWANA Chair for The ANDY Awards, helping represent and champion creative excellence from the region.
Fanti said: “Being Regional Chair at The ANDYs was an incredible honor. Missing the global jury in sunny Málaga? Alright, Jokes on me :). But truthfully, nothing compares to seeing Not for First Dates standing shoulder to shoulder with the best campaigns in the world. That kind of recognition hits differently. Because this wasn’t just a campaign – it was a belief brought to life.”
He added, “A reminder that when you tap into a human truth everyone feels, and you tell it with honesty and a bit of courage, something powerful happens. People don’t just watch it – they connect with it. It stops feeling like advertising, and starts feeling like something real. Not for First Dates is exactly what Truth Well Told looks like at its best. Huge thanks to McDonald’s for the trust, and to the team at FP7 McCANN – restless, fearless, and just stubborn enough to turn the impossible into something that feels effortless.”
