JWT Mena network had bagged 12 Mena Cristal Awards at this year’s Faraya festivities, the company said in a statement.

The awards saw those at the top of their game throughout the Middle East and North Africa gather to hear who came out tops across advertising platforms including films, magazines, newspapers, radios, marketing services, integrated campaigns, outdoor, cyber and the best communication tool category, it added.

“There’s joy here. This agency puts its heart and soul into enjoying what it does and having fun doing it. Usually it pays off. We were going to have a party regardless of the results,” said JWT Middle East and North Africa chief creative officer Ramsey Naja.

Naja said unlike any other agency, JWT were awarded across the creative map including the usual suspects - Dubai, Cairo and Beirut – but also those further flung regions like Tunisia, Casablanca and Kuwait.

“We’re a nimble agency, which I prefer to refer to as one office with very long corridors, as apposed to the traditional ‘network’,” he said.

'Awards are emotional rewards, in recognition of great ideas and the hard work people put into this industry day in day out. It makes those sleepless nights worthwhile,' said JWT CEO for the Gulf Vatche Keverian.

“Get the environment right and the great work will come by itself,” said JWT Dubai Executive Creative Director Chafic Haddad.

Client campaign wins across the JWT Mena network this year include AIG insurance; Nestle KitKat; Unilever Lipton Green Tea and Lux; Gargash Enterprises; HSBC; MTC-Atheer; Book World; Taiba Hospital; Dubai Autism Centre and Reynolds.

Running since 2005, the competition recompenses the best advertising work from the Middle East and North Africa, following similar rules to the Meribel Ad Festival and the Central Europe Cristal Awards, which are organized by the same company.

Also part of the WPP Group MediaInsight UAE walked away with a Grand Cristal for their Nestle Coffee Mate campaign and Mindshare won a Cristal for their Nando’s ‘Run for your ‘Peri-Peri’ services campaign in Lebanon. – TradeArabia News Service