TEAM/Y&R sweeps the IAA GCC 2003 Awards once again with 24 trophies

TEAM/Y&R Advertising picked up no fewer than 24 awards and achieved an astonishing clean sweep of gold, bronze and silver medals in 4 categories: Personal Effects (Press); Automotive (Press); Public Awareness Message (Press) and Electronics/Home Entertainment. It completely dominated the Automotive category by winning 6 of the possible 9 awards.

Personalities from across the region's advertising and media industry gathered at Dubai Media City last night to celebrate the most innovative and effective campaigns of 2003. Awards were made in nearly 30 categories, commending print, radio and outdoor work for industries as diverse as insurance and tobacco.

Campaigns for Masafi Mineral Water, Nicorette, 3M, Hitachi, Land Rover, Ford Middle East, BurJuman, Citibank and Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry all earned TEAM/Y&R prestigious IAA-GCC trophies.

A panel of 12 judges, made up of international advertising CEOs, creative directors, producers, filmmakers and academics, chose the winners.

TEAM/Y&R's Joseph Ghossoub, CEO of The Holding Group and IAA International Vice-President Area Director for the Middle East and Africa, said: "The recognition of TEAM/Y&R's hard work is hugely gratifying and a tremendous reward for the energy, creativity and dedication of everyone connected with the agency. TEAM/Y&R's mission is to deliver real business results for its diverse client base and these 24 awards reflect how successful the company has been."

The agency's sister advertising company, Intermarkets, also earned its fair share of the plaudits yesterday. The agency won gold for two impressive press campaigns - 'www.Quran.com' and 'The Taste That Won't Go To Your Waist' - and bronze and silver trophies were picked up for work on behalf of Maserati and Rotana Hotels.

Ghossoub added that Dubai would bid to hold the IAA World Congress, which takes place every two years, in 2006.

HH Sheikh Hasher Maktoum, Director of Information, Government of Dubai, sent a congratulatory message to delegates on awards night. Noting the impressive growth of the IAA-GCC Awards since their inception in 1991, Sheikh Hasher said: "The region's advertising and media industry has undergone significant developments and the UAE continues to play a central role in this increasing sophistication.

"Dubai Media City continues to attract more international media groups and communications companies, emphasising the UAE's role as a major regional commercial and communications hub."