Ogilvy & Mather three-peat: wins Cannes Network of the Year award for the third time in a row

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Ogilvy_NetworkofYear_2014.jpgWPP_HoldingCo_2014.jpgThe final award of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity was the The Network of the Year award – presented to Ogilvy & Mather with BBDO taking second place and DDB in third. It’s an amazing achievement for the network and for Worldwide Chief Creative Office, and Singaporean expat, Tham Khai Meng.

It was only five years ago that the suggestion that a WPP network agency, especially Ogilvy, could take this title would have been met with extreme scepticism. Previously Ogilvy’s worldwide creative reputation had been mainly driven by Asia, South America and South Africa, however Tham Khai Meng (pictured above holding award) has managed to hire and inspire great people within the network who have delivered results for him in other markets like the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Even the US is making strides forward.

Other awards presented at this evening’s gala ceremony were:

Agency of the Year was given to Adam&EveDDB, London. Dentsu Tokyo put in a fantastic performance to came second and Brazilian powerhouse AlmapBBDO was third third.

Independent Agency of the Year went to Forsman & Bodenfors Sweden, creators of Volvo Trucks’ “Epic Split”. Second place went to Lemz Amsterdam, creators of “Sweetie” and third to the great Wieden + Kennedy Portland.

The Palme d’Or, given to the most awarded production company, was presented to MJZ, USA. O Positive Films, USA came second and Outsider, UK third.

Bono_Cannes.jpgJoePytka_Cannes.jpgThe inaugural Regional Network of the Year winners were announced as:

APAC – BBDO

EMEA – DDB

North America – BBDO

South America – Ogilvy & Mather

Also awarded was the Holding Company of the Year which went to WPP. Omnicom took second place and Publicis third.

The festival also presented rock star Bono (left) with its inaugural Cannes LionHeart award, which recognizes a person or organization “that, through innovative use of commercial brand power, has made a significant and positive difference to people or the planet.”

During the awards, Joe Pytka (left) was honoured and presented with the Lion of St. Mark, presented in recognition of his outstanding contribution to creativity in advertising and communications.

The Creative Marketer of the Year trophy was presented to McDonald’s in honour of their consistency in placing creativity at the heart of its advertising and communications and distinguishing themselves by inspiring innovative marketing of their products. Steve Easterbrook, Senior Executive Vice President and Global Chief Brand Officer, was present to collect the accolade.