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Which is the most creative country in the Middle East and North Africa? Dubai Lynx Awards country-wise analysis March 23, 2007

Posted by Farrukh Naeem at copywriterjournalist.com in : Advertising, Advertising Awards, Advertising in Egypt, Advertising in Kuwait, Advertising in Lebanon, Advertising in the UAE, Tonic Communications, Wunderman Dubai , trackback

Dubai Lynx Winners, when arranged countrywise, give some kind of indication on the relative creative output country by country. For people like me who are fascinated by tables, analysis and data (although I am a creative guy - not a ’suit’), this post should be a welcome break from all the goody-goody pictures I have been posting so far.

Dubai Lynx Winners By Country

UAE shows a very strong lead on all counts. But then, compared to its neighbours, Dubai and the UAE have been successful in attracting the world’s leading advertising networks as well as top talent from all over the world. In many other countries participating in the awards, the creative demographic is somewhat different, with the work done more by locals, for locals whereas in the UAE, work is done by a cross-cultural teams for its mutlinational residential mix.

The rich pool of talent from all nationalities in UAE agencies has brought forth so many ideas that are not tied to local culture but are truly global. Also the reason, I feel, for Dubai bringing in the region’s first Gold Cannes for print and then for Direct, in quick succession. Both ideas - one by Tonic and the other by Wunderman were powerful and clearly global. While there is a school of thought that says “International jury doesn’t understand our local themes”, I am more inclined towards those who say “Big ideas go beyond cultural boundaries”.

Kuwait had the toughest luck this time, with more than 100 entries but no wins at all. It did have 12 shortlists.

Egypt sent in lesser entries than Kuwait, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia but still got more shortlists than each of these countries. It tied for second place (after UAE with 88 awards in total) with Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, with all three countries taking home 7 awards each. Yet, Egypt’s position is stronger as it was the only country other than the UAE to win Grand Prix awards for its work.

To get a feel of what ad-struck people in this region are feeling and saying, also have a look at my recent post:
Dubai Lynx online: Who’s blogging about the Dubai Lynx Awards?

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Check out related posts on this topic:
1. Dubai Lynx Winners (with pictures) Part 4 - Gold Winners in Print and TV/Cinema
2. Dubai Lynx Awards Winners Part 3 (with pictures) - Gold winners in Integrated, Interactive and Direct
3. Dubai Lynx Awards winners Part 2 (with pictures) - Gold Dubai Lynx for Outdoor advertising
4. Dubai Lynx Awards Winners Part 1 (with pictures and download links of Dubai Lynx winners): Global jury selects 111 top ads in the Middle East
5. More about the author of these posts: Farrukh Naeem – copywriter, journalist and advertising blogger in Dubai, UAE

If you’re an editor looking for pictures and reports of Dubai Lynx 2007, or coverage of the advertising and marketing scene in the UAE and the Middle East, I could help. Feel free to mail me at farrukh.copywriter(at)gmail.com to discuss the possibilities.
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Comments»

1. Samer Marzouq - March 25, 2007

Good analysis, the gap between Dubai and the entire region is so obvious and I guess others will time to reach Dubai’s level.

And I liked “Big ideas go beyond cultural boundaries”.

2. farrukh: copywriter & journalist - March 26, 2007

Thanks Samer. Appreciate your feedback.

Dubai advertising is really making waves. Good to be here in this industry at this time.

farrukh

3. Priyanka - March 31, 2007

Hi!

I have been going through your coverage of the Dubai Lynx and all I can say is…..booooooooooo …..I want to be there toooooooooo!!!!!!!!

Lucky you. Its always great to be in the center of ferment.

4. farrukh: copywriter & journalist - April 2, 2007

Hi Priyanka,

You’re most welcome to come here and experience the fun yourself.

Did you really mean ‘ferment’?

farrukh

5. Wisal AHMAD - July 28, 2007

Assalamualikum Farrukh

Thats great to have such creative people in this industry. I am a university lecturer in pakistan working on advertising creativity. while writting my PhD thesis, I am not getting any report on creativity which can gave me a comaparative analysis of creativity trends in asia and europe. Do you have such information.
Further if you have any contacts in pakistan advertising industry that may help me in getting award winning creative ads for my research.

Thanks
WISAL AHMAD