'TRANSFORMED' Y&R NAMED FAIRFAX ADMEDIA AGENCY OF THE YEAR

From AdMedia

Y&R Group was last night (Tuesday 12 March) named the Fairfax AdMedia Agency of the Year in Auckland.
“Four years ago, the agency was static and facing an uncertain future,” said the judges. “Since then, it’s been transformed.”
In 2005, Y&R experienced its best year ever – but 2006 was even better, with a 20% growth in billings, a 42% growth in revenue, and an 80% jump in operating profit.
Last year’s winner, Saatchi & Saatchi, “is a juggernaut that rolls on and on like a military machine, but it cannot be expected to make quantum leaps every year,” the judges said.
Saatchi CEO Andrew Stone was named CEO of the Year – for the third year running – in recognition of his steady hand on the tiller of a very fast boat.
Independent agency Sugar was voted Indie Agency of the Year, with the judges commenting: “This is a well-managed agency – an overnight success that’s taken 10 years.”
Media Agency of the Year is FCB Media, which stood out with a 97% increase in billings, and 82% increase in revenue, and a 114% jump in profit.
The Rookie Suit of the Year is Blake Crosbie of TBWA\Whybin. “Blake is a suit who is strong on detail, and get things done,” the judges said.
The annual Wildcard Award, which recognises individuals or companies who make an outstanding contribution to the advertising industry, went to Steve Adams and Simon Shattky of Ready Now Communications for their Buy From New Zealand campaign (supported by Telecom, South Pacific Pictures, Maori TV, Air NZ, and Kiwi FM).
The Made From New Zealand campaign was launched on Waitangi Day with a giant sand sculpture on Santa Monica Beach in California. Images shot from the air were published globally. The most recent stage of the project is an interactive website, www.madefromnewzealand.com, which aims to become a hub for the NZ business community.

THE WINNERS 2007

Agency of the Year: Y&R
Finalists: Colenso BBDO, Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi, TBWA\Whybin & Tequila\
Indie Agency of the Year: Sugar
Finalists: Insight, Promotus, Republik

Media Agency of the Year: FCB Media
Finalists: Mediaedge:cia, OMD, Starcom

CEO of the Year: Andrew Stone (Saatchi & Saatchi)
Finalists: Greg Partington (Ogilvy), Jon Ramage (Y&R), David Walden (TBWA\Whybin).

Rookie Suit of the Year: Blake Crosbie (TBWA\Whybin)
Finalist: Mike Veitch (Saatchi & Saatchi)

Wildcard: Simon Shattky & Steve Adams for their Made From NZ campaign.