Memac Ogilvy & Mather further cemented its position as the Middle East’s leading communications agency by winning three gold, one silver and one bronze awards at the recent 59th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Memac Ogilvy saw 17 of its campaigns short listed in Cannes and paved the way for Ogilvy & Mather to make history and win the coveted Cannes Lions 2012 Network of the Year Award, the most prestigious accolade in the advertising industry.
Edmond Moutran, chairman and CEO of Memac Ogilvy Middle East and North Africa, has heaped praise on the company’s personnel for raising the creative bar so high in the region. The agency is now clearly the most awarded in the Arab world.
“To be awarded three Gold Lions at Cannes is as good as it gets in our industry. It’s the summit. But this success hasn’t come by chance — it is the direct result of painstaking planning to take our creativity to a level where we are the equal to, or better than, the best in the world. We have done that,” said Moutran.
What makes the achievement so remarkable is that it is not an isolated event. Actually, the Lions from Cannes continue a steady stream of highly regarded awards to the agency in the region and abroad for its many campaigns across the spectrum in recent times. Earlier this year, Memac Ogilvy cleaned up the Dubai Lynx with two Grand Prix, 17 gold, four silver and seven bronze trophies.
The agency was also the first from the Middle East to win the celebrated Grand Prix at the Clio Awards in New York.
“The Lions are the latest in many recent awards, but of course, the main reward for us is the satisfaction of our clients,” he added.
Memac Ogilvy & Mather gets top honors at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity
Memac Ogilvy & Mather gets top honors at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity
LuLu Walkathon: 22,000 participants champion greener future
Alkhobar’s New Corniche transformed into a vibrant hub of energy and community spirit when more than 22,000 people gathered for the highly anticipated “LuLu Walkathon.” Organized by LuLu Saudi Hypermarket, the 3-km event was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Sport and Alkhobar municipality on Jan. 31. The walkathon successfully united the community under the themes of health and environmental sustainability.
The event was held with the cooperation of Meshaal Al-Harbi, head of Alkhobar municipality, and Tareq Al-Qahtani, director of the Ministry of Sport’s Eastern Province branch. The official flag-off was performed by Mohammed Haris, director of LuLu Hypermarket Saudi Arabia.
This year’s walkathon went beyond fitness, offering a rich tapestry of entertainment including soulful traditional Arabic music, a contemporary violin performance, and a playful “donuts dance,” which ensured a festive atmosphere for families of all ages.
A major highlight of the morning was the presence of Khadra. Khadra served as a living reminder of the Kingdom’s deep-rooted cultural artistry, posing for photos with the thousands of participants who lined the coast. To ensure every attendee felt the spirit of the celebration, participants were geared up with a premium merchandise kit containing custom-branded T-shirts and caps. Furthermore, every individual who successfully completed the 3-km route was rewarded with an exclusive LuLu goodie bag at the finish line to celebrate their achievement.
Sustainability remained a core pillar for the LuLu Walkathon this year, reflecting the brand’s long-term environmental vision. LuLu’s staff managed the route with a strict focus on environmental responsibility, while strategically placed refreshment stalls kept walkers hydrated without compromising the pristine condition of the corniche.
The massive success of the event was supported by key partners, including MasterCard as the commercial sponsor and Nada, which provided vital refreshments, alongside significant support from Radio Mirchi and Alyaum newspaper.
“The walkathon concluded not just as a race, but as a meaningful tribute to the Kingdom’s past and a definitive step toward a sustainable future,” a statement said. “By blending physical activity with cultural celebration and environmental stewardship, LuLu Hypermarket reaffirmed its commitment to the Saudi community, promoting an active, engaged, and responsible lifestyle for all residents.”
