BBH LONDON NAMED BESTADS INTERNATIONAL AGENCY OF THE YEAR - THREE NZ SHOPS IN TOP 10

For the fourth year in a row, BBH London is the BestAds International Agency of the Year, but the big news for NZ is that three world-class Kiwi shops are in the Top 10: Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand at #2, DDB New Zealand at #4 and Clemenger BBDO, Wellington at #6.
Points are based on work selected for Week's Best on BestAds during 2007 so it's a unique guage of consistent creative excellence.

The Top 10 BestAds Agencies in the world in 2007:

1. BBH London
2. Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand
3. Fallon London
4. DDB New Zealand
4. Duval Guillaume, Antwerp
6. AMV BBDO, London
6. Clemenger BBDO, Wellington
6. DDB Sydney
6. Goodby Silverstein and Partners, San Francisco
6. Mother, London


Check the BestAds Rankings to see the best performing agencies, clients, production companies and creatives during 2008. You can search by country.

BESTADSONTV.COM

is the only FREE site of its calibre in the world (why pay fees on other sites?) which is updated daily with even more world class work from more countries than ever before in all mediums, so make sure you register FREE and check in once a day, not just once a week.

SPCA 'ONLY FOR DOG EARS' SONG 'A VERY SILENT NIGHT' NOW #1

UPDATE: The silent 'only for dog ears' song 'A Very Silent Night' has gone to #1 on the charts...

The Film Brewery has shot a video and TVC to support Draft FCB’s world first for SPCA - a CD single featuring a song just for dogs!
The Christmas single, A Very Silent Night, has been recorded at the highest frequencies possible for compact disc recordings, so that only dogs can hear it.
Chris Graham and Treza Gallogly got the call from creatives Alex Dyer and Colin Mitchell, on Thursday at 4pm - and jumped in paws and all – managing to turn around a full day’s shooting within 4 days (including a weekend!)…
As it happens, Graham’s brother, David, had just bred 5 new pure bred French Mastiff pups (only 6 weeks old), and seeing as this was the same breed as the photo on the front of the CD, they knew that fate meant them to shoot the ad!
The video and TVC are styled on Scribe’s ‘Not Many’’ video (which Graham also directed), and Snoop Dogg’s ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ video, the cast features 14 dogs, rapper Dei Hamo as Santa and two gorgeous models as elves.
In keeping with the CD, the TVC will be inaudible to human ears with subtitles asking the public to “buy the CD so they don’t end up in the dog house”.
All the crew and suppliers jumped in, and donated their time, equipment and services for free. In particular, Aaron Morton DoP, Animals on Q, who advised them and spent the day on set, Digital Post, who are providing all the post-production and animation, and Sam Brunette (who has 3 very large Great Danes himself), edited the video and TVC in just 2 days!!
The single is available exclusively from The Warehouse for only $4.99, and is the perfect stocking-stuffer for dogs and a feel-good fundraiser for the SPCA.
Check out a very doggy tail, at this link to TV3’s

Sunrise breakfast show

ROSS GOLDSACK RESPONDS TO 'ANNUS HORRIBILIS' COMMENT IN ADMEDIA DECEMBER

Y&R chief Ross Goldsack has responded to AdMedia's 'annus horribilis' comments made in the December issue...

I am very puzzled by your “annus horribilis” comment about our year in the latest copy of AdMedia.
What are you referring to?
We won Agency of the Year. If my memory serves me correctly it was AdMedia’s award!!
We have had an above average awards year this year – AOY, creative, effectiveness, etc.
We have enjoyed a strong year financially.
Yes, we did part company with Noel Leeming mid year. But we have had one of our best new business years ever - winning:

Auckland Energy Trust
Microsoft
Bay Audiology
Metservice
Avis, Budget
Paramount

To win this business we beat out other top agencies in the country.
And on top of all this we have been awarded significant new projects from existing clients – especially in the interactive space.
Parting company with a large client like Noel Leeming always has a considerable impact. We have replaced this business (and more) with new clients. To replace a client of that size in such a short space of time is a remarkable achievement. Lowe lost a couple of big clients – look where they are now.
Our Australian cousins wanted Paul to be based over there soon after he came on board...and it didn’t work out. So what? That has nothing to do with New Zealand.

Merry Christmas,
Ross

RACHEL LEYLAND WINS 'THE TITLE'

Rachel Leyland, Draft FCB Media Planner & Buyer, is the winner of the 2007 'Title' award and a trip for two to Cannes in 2008 to see first hand the greatest ad ideas in the world.
'The Title' recognises those people with less than 5 years industry experience who go above and beyond to make great ideas happen. It is not open to creatives and therefore focuses on the heroes behind the scenes who normally aren’t acknowledged.
Rachel described it as the best birthday present ever as she came up to accept her award at Cowboys and Indians Bar in the Viaduct on Monday night.
Says James Mok, Creative Director, Draft FCB: “Rachel isn’t just great for our business, she’s what makes our business”.
In congratulating Rachel and the other four finalists, CAANZ CEO Rick Osborne told the 100 strong audience “that if what we saw and heard during the judging process is the future of the industry, then things appear to be in the very best of hands."

DOMINO'S APPOINTS THE PALACE

Australian owned and operated Domino’s Pizza today announced it has appointed The Campaign Palace, to lead the company’s creative advertising and below the line for its Australian and New Zealand business, effective 4 February 2008.
Domino’s CEO Don Meij said he is excited to welcome The Campaign Palace to the Domino’s team and is looking forward to a long-term, successful partnership: "Our promotional activity has been really successful over the past few months and we are expecting The Campaign Palace to deliver even more engaging promotions and advertising campaigns to our customers.
“I would also like to thank Communion and MJW Advertising for delivering fantastic campaigns and promotions over the past 11.5 years and wish them all the very best for the future.”
Domino’s Chief Marketing Officer Allan Collins said the company undertook a three-month review of key creative agencies in Australia and New Zealand to find the best agency suited to the Domino’s business: “Following an extensive selection process, The Campaign Palace stood out as the best creative agency - one that understands our consumers, our brand and the way we operate,” Allan said.
The Campaign Palace Managing Director Lindsey Evans said Domino’s values and ethics were a great fit to The Campaign Palace business: “Domino’s not only has an exciting ambition for their business and brand but a wonderful set of values and ethics which together make this such a thrilling win,” Lindsey said.

WARMEST GREETINGS FROM RINEY

Since the 17th century, the people of Catalonia, in the northeast of Spain, have made a tradition of hiding a small statue of a squatting boy called the “Caganer” in nativity scenes. To spread holiday cheer, Publicis & Hal Riney created a site in which people can have “The Great Pooper” drop a present in a friend’s name. Check out Riney's

cheers to NZCC

TAYLOR TO MD OF SAATCHI'S AUCKLAND

Saatchi & Saatchi general manager Dean Taylor has been promoted to Managing Director of the Auckland office.
The appointment, effective immediately, will see Taylor focused on mentoring the agency’s account management teams in addition to his ongoing role heading the Telecom business.
The other GMs will continue to report directly to CEO Andrew Stone, although Taylor will work closely with them in mentoring the account management teams, particularly in digital and new media.
“Working with a telco, you have the advantage of seeing new technology before it goes to market and I am passionate about the opportunities for us to use digital and new media, particularly mobile and broadband technologies,” Taylor says.
“I’m constantly amazed at the creativity that can be produced through understanding technology and this makes for hugely effective ideas. Moving forward we will be working hard to fully realise the potential this new world has to offer, we’re only at the beginning.”
Taylor joined Saatchi’s as a GM nearly four years ago to lead the Telecom account. He has previously worked at Campaign Palace in Australia, and BBH in Singapore, and originally trained in London.
Stone says it’s been a brilliant year for Saatchi’s – the fourth successive year of business growth and one with unprecedented awards success. On Friday, Saatchi’s won New Zealand Agency of the Year at the B&T Awards for the third year in a row.
Just a week earlier, it won AWARD Agency of the Year for Australasia and in October it won the EFFIES Agency Effectiveness award. It is also the reigning Campaign Brief Agency of the Year and NBR Agency of the Year.
“It’s been a stellar year for both creativity and effectiveness, but there is no time to stand still. We will be continuing to introduce ways to innovate and deliver the best and freshest creative ideas through the coming year,” Stone says.

IPG CONSOLIDATES NZ BUSINESS - LOWE, RIVET AND DRAFT FCB TO JOIN FORCES

Interpublic Group (IPG) is to consolidate its New Zealand businesses, with a move by Draft FCB, Lowe and Rivet into a shared business hub in Freemans Bay early next year.
Draft FCB New Zealand Chairman and CEO Bryan Crawford said the integration made sense in terms of cultural fit as well as further efficiencies made possible by bringing the businesses together. Each agency would continue to trade under its own brand, but back office functions would be integrated.
Draft FCB’s strong performance meant it had outgrown its current premises in Parnell and is relocating with Lowe and Rivet into larger premises in Wellington Street, Freeman’s Bay, early in the New Year.
Mr Crawford said the move reflected a desire for further business improvement locally and would deliver further benefits to clients while IPG’s CEO Michael Roth was quoted recently in the US as saying “As we look to 2008, we are asking companies across Interpublic with analogous business models to come up with ways to increase efficiencies.”
General Manager of Lowe and Rivet Peter Brown says the move is a very positive one for the agency which had ended the year strongly.
“We now have a solid and sustainable base on which to continue to build the business and believe our clients will benefit from the synergies that will arise from our new shared location,” he said.
The move will mean that Group Chief Executive Lowe and Rivet Australasia Stephen Pearson and Chief Executive Office Rivet Australasia Judy Lewis relinquish their CEO responsibilities for Lowe and Rivet in New Zealand to concentrate on building the Australian businesses.
Mr Pearson said that the re-organisation in New Zealand made sense for each business and IPG as a whole.

TONIGHT'S CANNES SCREENING POSTPONED

‘Tis the season for too many Christmas parties… Given the ad industry’s fond appreciation of a very festive holiday season, Fairfax Media has decided to postpone tonight's screening of the 2007 Cannes Lions Winners Reel until early 2008. Details to follow in the new year.

TOM MARKHAM TAKES THE INTERACTIVE CREATIVE REINS AT LOWE RIVET IN SYDNEY

Gold AWARD winner Tom Markham, Interactive Creative Director at Lowe and Draft in New Zealand, has been appointed Interactive Creative Director at Lowe and Rivet in Sydney. He will now work closely with Lowe ECD Dave Johnson and Rivet ECD Chris Hunter (the latter moved to Sydney from NZ last month).
According to Judi Lewis, Rivet Sydney’s CEO: “The centre of gravity is now with integrated work. So we need strength in all areas of the one-to-one discipline – be that direct, digital or viral. Tom’s skill set is remarkably broad and covers all of Rivet’s offering."
Lowe and Rivet are bucking the trend to treat interactive as just another channel. “Many agencies up-skill regular creative teams in the interactive arena, and then double-check with a techie to check if the concept is do-able," says Lewis. “But we believe that world-class integrated work requires senior interactive creatives who can generate the big idea in the first place."
Markham’s credentials speak for themselves. ElectroCity, the online game he created for the NZ power company Genesis Energy, won one of only eight Golds at AWARD on Friday night. The Gold was for ‘best online and mobile game’, and it also won Silver for ‘best website’. The wins were especially sought after, given the record 360 finalists from countries as far afield as China, Malaysia and Singapore.
In just six months, ElectroCity has generated 1.6 million unique sessions in a country with a population of four million, and an average length of time at more than 10 minutes.
Markham has also done high profile work across the Tasman for NZ Lotteries, Bank of NZ, Air New Zealand and Vodafone – where he worked on the launch of the telco’s broadband service.

71 BULLETS WONS AT 2007 YOUNG GUNS AWARDS - USA #1, NEW ZEALAND #2, AUSTRALIA #3

71 bullets were awarded at the 2007 International Young Guns Awards announced today (Campaign Brief, Campaign Brief Asia and BestAds are media partners).
Jeff Anderson and Isaac Silvergate from TBWA\Chiat\Day New York are the 2007 YoungGuns of the Year - the best young creative talent globally in 2007 as recognized by the YGAward jury.
Their Mars Combos 'What your mom would feed you if your mom was a man' campaign won 2 Gold and 4 Silver Bullets in TV and Radio.
As the YoungGuns of the Year they also win US$20,000 and a place on the 2008 YGAward jury.
Nate Virnig, Jesse Synder and Rene Delgado from Miami Ad School Minneapolis, USA are the 2007 Student YoungGuns of the Year for their ‘Red Bull Campaign’ idea.
They also win a three-month paid placement at a Leo Burnett Worldwide office of their choice and US$5,000 to help them get there.
Top performers from Australasia: Josh Lancaster from Colenso BBDO, Auckland came 5th, followed by Tim Cairns and Tim Green from DDB Sydney in 7th place, James Dive and James Harvey from The Glue Society, Sydney in 12th place, Karen Maurice-O'Leary and Verity Butt from TBWA\Whybin, Auckland in 16th place, Anne Boothroyd from Colenso BBDO Auckland and Maria Lishman and Mike Felix DDB Auckland in equal 18th place, and Jonathan McMahon and Lisa Fedyszyn from Colenso BDO, Auckland in 25th place.
The two Gold Bullet winners for NZ were both for Josh Lancaster of Colenso BBDO Auckland, who won in Interactive and Outdoor Supersites and Spectaculars for Deadline Couriers 'Exploding Billboard'.
17 countries received a bullet and / or are finalist. The USA was the number 1 ranked country in all awarded criteria (including finalists) with 5 Gold, 7 Silver and 8 Bronze, followed by New Zealand with 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 8 Bronze and Australia with 3 Silver and 5 Bronze.
While the YG Agency of the Year was TBWA\Chiat\Day New York, Australasia performed brilliantly, with Colenso BBDO, Auckland at #2, DDB Sydney at #3, DDB New Zealand at #5, The Glue Society Sydney at #9, TBWA\Whybin Auckland at #13.
To download the YGAward 2007 Winners and Finalists PDF and view the 2007 Showcase go to the

YOUNGGUNS NETSITE

AN OPEN LETTER TO AWARD

I am writing to thank AWARD for the generally great awards night. I was lucky enough to pick up a pencil for original music and was honored to receive it as the judging is notoriously tough and historically the trophies are hard won.
Sadly my pencil and, for that matter, all the others handed out that night was immediately devalued by the mockery that followed. The following category was “Best arrangement of existing music”. This is a somewhat controversial category but I believe it to be a legitimate one. There are some iconic examples where a performer has transformed an existing piece of music and given it new life. No greater example would be the haunting remake of Trent Reznor’s song “Hurt”, originally performed by Nine Inch Nails but totally reinvented by the genius of Johnny Cash.
Well blow me down if this actual track didn’t win a silver pencil. But...hang on..John Cash is well dead, and anyway he wasn’t commissioned by an agency to record this song... and where do the “Music Production Company” who claim to have originated this track, fit in to the creative category? They are, in fact, a music licensing company who’s only contribution to this commercial was to negotiate a fee for the right to use an existing piece of music, created by other actual creative people. The same company also picked up another silver and 2 bronzes for negotiating a fee for three other existing pieces.
This is a total nonsense and puts the integrity of the AWARD awards into serious question. If doing a financial deal can get you 2 silver and 2 bronzes at AWARD then advertising has sunk to the level of the popular public “misconception” of adland. It was bad enough to see the same company name listed as “Music Production Company” on works by Bjork but this is beyond the pale. It is no different than Paramatta Motors entering the new 3 series BMW in the “European Car of the Year” awards under their own name. They didn't make the car they just sold the damn thing!
Even if the company did the actual “cutting down” of the track to the length of the commercial, making something physically smaller isn’t “arranging”. It is an hour of studio time from any competent audio engineer and nothing more than that. Would the judges be impressed if an entrant negotiated the rights to a print of the “Mona Lisa”, ran it thru the photocopier on 50% reduction (to “arrange” it) and entered it in the art direction category? What the results of “Best arrangement of existing music” tells us is that this arrangement of Leonardo Da Vinci would be a legitimate entry and who could then deny one of the world’s greatest paintings a gold and, for that matter “best in show”?
If AWARD is to have any credibility then these 4 pencils should be returned and the category results declared null and void. Despite this kerfuffle, It would be an injustice if the category were to be dropped, I mean John Cash would have got a legitimate silver if he had actually been commissioned to rearrange “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails but AWARD has to be a lot more vigilant as to the true legitimacy of entrants to what are meant to be the top regional creative awards.

Jim Hall
Creative Director
Soundtrax

OGILVY WELLINGTON APPOINTS SCOTT HENDERSON AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Ogilvy Wellington has appointed Scott Henderson Creative Director, who is joining from from Clemenger BBDO where he held the position of Senior Art Director for five years.
Says Ogilvy Wellington Managing Director, Livia Esterhazy: “We’re excited to get a creative of Scott’s talent on board. His book is stunning, with impressive work for clients such as Land Transport New Zealand, ACC and numerous consumer brands. We have big plans for our agency in Wellington and Scott is going to be a key part of these.”
Henderson began his advertising career at The Campaign Palace, Sydney in 1998 after completing a journalism/production degree and working as a studio artist and designer. The following year he moved to JWT where he worked for several years producing awarded work on some of Australia’s leading FMCG brands before leaving to freelance with creative shop, Host. He joined Clemenger BBDO Wellington as a senior art director in 2002. Over the years Scott has worked on a diverse range of consumer brands across FMCG, telecommunications, banking, electronics, automotive, pharmaceutical, tourism and media. He gained extensive experience in social marketing through his work for Land Transport New Zealand, Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Surf Lifesaving NZ, Ministry of Civil Defence, Ministry of Justice and Amnesty International.
His work has been consistently recognized at local and international award shows including Cannes, D&AD, One Show, Clio, AWARD, Effies and Axis, for creativity, craft and effectiveness.
Says Henderson: “To be part of a new Ogilvy agency in Wellington and to shape the creative product and culture is a fantastic opportunity for me. Ogilvy has a long history of producing great artwork both internationally and in NZ. The recent results at AWARD and the Effies just confirm this. Bring on 2008!”

ANOTHER LEGENDARY LUNCH

The annual Xmas Campaign Brief/BestAds Legendary Lunch attracted the cream of Auckland creatives to Soul Restaurant yesterday. Thanks to sponsors Paul Prince from The Sweet Shop, Stephen Douglas from DigiPics and Jim Hall and Stacey Wah from Soundtrax. Here are a few pics from the day, with the rest in the next issue of Campaign Brief.

THE CANNES REEL SCREENING TIMES

Fairfax Media advises that the invitation only Cannes winners reel screening at the Maidment this Tuesday (December 11) starts at 4pm and finishes at 6pm.
The University of Auckland's Maidment Theatre is at 8 Alfred St (between Symonds & Princes Sts).
RSVP to jessica.manning@fairfaxmedia.co.nz.

OKTOBOR COMPLETES COLOUR MAKEOVER

Leading visual effects company Oktobor has relaunched its colour department through the acquisition of international talent and a substantial investment in upgraded technology.
Peter Ritchie, one of the world's leading colourists, rejoined Oktobor recently after an initial stint with the company that began in 2004. Formerly with Iloura in Melbourne and Digital Pictures in Sydney, he is enthusiastic about the new environment at Oktobor and the rare opportunity to work so collaboratively with the tight knit team of world class visual effects artists and the Directors they attract.
“It’s great to be back and with this new investment in technology we’re better placed than ever before to provide the sort of creative solutions our existing and potential clients require,” he said.
The suite has been designed and rebuilt from the ground up to Pete’s spec and makes for an extremely comfortable working environment for both colourist and clients. A state of the art Spirit Datacine will assist them to roll out for clients what Patrick McAteer, General Manager, Oktobor, refers to as ‘creative convergence’.
“Because our work is all about integrating elements of the creative process we’re constantly focused on making sure we have the best specialists working on the best kit, and our colour department is a perfect example of that approach,” he says.
“We could already boast a well-established and highly awarded creative team, but with Peter now back on board and this new programme of investment completed, we’re rounding out the year on a high,” he adds.
Kevin Denholm, one of Australasia’s leading directors, is equally enthusiastic about Ritchie’s arrival back at Oktobor and what it means for the organisation.
“Peter is, quite simply, one of the best in the business. He’s that rare breed of colourist who possesses great aesthetic judgement and a strong level of technical proficiency. I can’t wait to work with him and the guys at Oktobor again,” he says.

McCABE QUITS Y&R FOR FREELANCE LIFE

Y&R Deputy creative director, Steve McCabe, has resigned from the agency to go freelance from mid January.
McCabe came to New Zealand in late 2004 to work at Generator, merging with Y&R a year later. Since arriving in the country he’s picked up silver at Cannes, 2 Gold Axis, the NAB Ad of the Year and had finalists at the One Show, AWARD and the Caxtons. Previously Steve worked in the UK for Euro RSCG, Lowe, DDB, DMB&B and also had a spell at George Patts, Sydney where he won a Cannes Gold.
Says McCabe: “I’ve learned a lot in my time at Generator and Y&R, but feel now is the right time to find a new challenge”.
He plans to freelance from mid-January and can be reached at smccabe@xtra.co.nz or on +64 29 979 7728.

McCRACKEN APPOINTED EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT OGILVY SINGAPORE

Ogilvy Singapore has appointed Kiwi expat Todd McCracken as its executive creative director. McCracken, who starts in January, left his last gig as regional creative chief of Grey earlier this year.
According to the Ogilvy PR release, McCracken has clocked more than a decade of experience in the industry, accumulating countless accolades from the world’s leading creative award shows including a Grand Prix at Cannes. Most notably, he is the winner of seven Marketing Effectiveness Gold accolades and the creator of New Zealand’s most successful campaign, which was voted Most Loved by New Zealand People’s Choice Award for five years in a row.

SPECIAL LAUNCHES AND PICKS UP VOLVO

Special, the creative agency founded by Tony Bradbourne, Rob Jack and Heath Lowe, has officially opened for business.
It also announces the win of the New Zealand Volvo account, after a three way pitch.
Tony Bradbourne: “We’re very excited to be working with such a great brand, and with such aggressive sales targets.”
Rob Jack: “We’re thrilled Volvo has bought in to our unique offering. We’re looking forward to a great year for our new client.”
Special describe themselves as a ‘results obsessed’ creative agency.
They offer a very high standard of creative work (both Jack and Bradbourne have had many years experience in some of the world’s best ad agencies) but with a completely practical and effectiveness-driven approach.
Tony Bradbourne: “We put everything we do through an uncompromising filter. It’s designed to be intelligent, noticeable, engaging and most importantly, to work its socks off.”
Rob Jack: “We keep things simple. We provide the same level of strategic insight, creative quality and craftsmanship to our clients that they would get from a big agency, but in a small agency package. Our clients get plenty of care and attention. We work directly with them. Top agency brains, small agency format.”
Lowe adds high quality design as integral part of Special’s offering.He brings with him a wealth of international design experience, including projects for Nike and Adidas through Wieden + Kennedy and 180 Amsterdam.
The agency is situated in a 1920’s theatre in Kingsland, Auckland.
www.specialgroup.co.nz
Contacts: Tony 029 200 6708, Rob 021 897 002, Heath 021 657 865

CONNAN JAMES GOES FREELANCE

After four years at M&C Saatchi, senior copywriter Connan James is going freelance. The winner of the 1993 Axis Advertising School, and a former creative director, he has won Bronze and Silver Lions as well as six Bronzes and a Gold at Clio amongst a dustbin of miscellaneous metal.
James told NZCC: "I've enjoyed my time at M&C Saatchi, but four years is a long stint and it's time for a change. Flitting around the country in helicopters for Tourism New Zealand's worldwide ad was a great deal of fun, as was trotting across the outback on horseback. But now it's time for fresh challenges."
Connan James will be available in the new year on 021 300 915 or at connan.james@gmail.com.

2007 AWARD AWARDS: THE VIDEO

Sit back, relax and enjoy Lynchy's dodgy video of the Kiwis thrashing the Aussies at the

2007 AWARD Awards

, held in Sydney on Friday night. For winners only who can't remember what happened on the night.

SAATCHI'S NZ WINS AWARD AGENCY OF THE YEAR - SAATCHI NAMED NETWORK OF THE YEAR

The Saatchi & Saatchi network were the big winner at this year’s AWARD Awards, held in Sydney last night.
The sold-out event on November 30th had 800 guests celebrating the most outstanding creative work in the Asia Pacific region at the CarriageWorks at Eveleigh Rail Yards in glamorous Redfern.
Saatchi & Saatchi won AWARD Network of The Year for the second year running and the AWARD Agency of The Year went to Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand (pictured).
The 10 most awarded agencies the night were Saatchi & Saatchi NZ (149 points), BMF Sydney (121), Ogilvy Auckland (94), Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore (86), Leo Burnett Bangkok (85), George Patterson Y&R Melbourne (76), Publicis Mojo Auckland (63), Saatchi & Saatchi Australia (58), McCann-Erickson Malaysia (54) and Publicis Mojo Australia (51).
NZ agencies to make the Top 20 were Colenso BBDO at #11, DDB at #13, Rivet at #14, TBWA\Whybin at #15 and Clemenger BBDO Wellington at #19.
A record number of 219 winners were announced on the night (2006: 164 winners) with double the amount of winners in the Craft in TV category.
A stunning opening sequence, designed by Animal Logic with music by Hylton Mowday and Jam welcomed guests before MC James O’Loughlin took the stage to present this year’s awards.
The AWARD Client of The Year went to Meat and Livestock Association, which not only recognises the client with fantastic finalists from the current year, but a strong track record of great work of the years.
Mike O’Sullivan, Executive Creative Director Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand presented Iggy Rodriguez from DDB Sydney with the Bob Isherwood Encouragement Award.
A special Tribute Award was dedicated to Paul Jones, one of the founder’s of AWARD, who died this year, which was accepted on the night by his wife Jana Jones.
The unofficial title of the Production Company of the Year went to Exit Films with a stunning total of two Gold, ten Silver and eight Bronze awards.
Winner numbers nearly doubled for Asian entrants (2007: 70 winners, 2006: 38 winners) and also New Zealand can count a significant increase in winners (2007: 64 winners, 2006: 45 winners) while Australia increased by 4 winners this year (2007: 85 winners, 2006: 81 winners).
Eight Gold Awards were given out to: FUEL - for Sony ‘Kiss’ - Digital Visual Effects/Design; Exit Films – for ‘Labyrinth’ - Cinematography; Revolver – for ‘Breathe’ - Special effects in camera; The Glue Society, Sydney - for The World’s Cheapest Billboards - Outdoor campaigns; Ogilvy New Zealand - for L&P ‘Summer - Natalie Cowan’ in Radio Copywriting; JWT Singapore - for ‘Teenager’ in Direct Marketing - Community service & charity individual; Rivet New Zealand - for ‘ElectroCity’ in Interactive - Online and mobile game; Leo Burnett Sydney - for ‘Earth Hour’ in None of The Above.
Guests partied long into the night, at The Sweet Shop After-Party at The Cross Bar, Kings Cross.