Ad agency launches probe after awards scandal

Posted by: Leigh Vernier Wednesday, 8 April 2009 6:04 PM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

Ad business needs 100% rethink on awards criteria. Perhaps awards should recognize what an agency group contributes to its client's business. Aim of awards? To improve adgroup standards. Or, focus more on client growth, profits, innovation. A case can be made for NOT entering awards. Managing a client's business should be a full time job. Last but not least, most of the Mideast big adgroups bear little or no resemblance to their global partner names. Probity, professional conduct, transparency could be better. The 'giants' in the Mideast ad business are not admen. There are no Charlie Saatchis, John Hegartys or David Ogilvys. No meritocracy either. Too much nepotism and jobs for the cronies. Who suffers most? Client companies.

Posted by: Brad Sunday, 5 April 2009 9:15 AM[UAE] - Qatar

What needs to be investigated? The Managing Director of FP7 Doha is ultimately responsible and any "findings" to the contrary, are his attempt to slither away from the debacle which he freely allowed to happen. Clearly an apology is beneath him, even in light of such damning evidence - is it any wonder that the reputation of the regional advertising industry is being defaced? Or perhaps unbeknown to the management - the company driver took it upon himself to perpetrate this deceit? That seems plausible, not!

Posted by: Gaurav Sinha Saturday, 4 April 2009 6:47 PM[UAE] - UAE

It's a chest thumping session for a few and a pity we're swimming in such puddles of mediocrity. To top it all off, the creative guys are busy flogging comp ads to 'clients' to get that single insert in a magazine - what a sad state of affairs. The spirit of advertising is wasted on these vanity parades and the IAA should actually do more than just offer tea/cookie evenings to the culprits and the odd shenanigan they throw together. IAA should be ashamed, forget the weak-minded agency that went through the shameful exercise of entering ads which never appeared. The damage is done.

Posted by: Wastafarian Saturday, 4 April 2009 5:10 PM[UAE] - UAE

What is the most galling about Gulf advertising is the Levantine wasta practice, that allows people to become, on both sides, corrupt. Stop it now!

Posted by: Anthony Ryman Saturday, 4 April 2009 2:59 PM[UAE] - qatar

I think this whole episode is proof of widespread and systemic amateurism in the gulf advertising industry. First the pressure, home-made that FP7 presumably felt to justify their exorbitant salaries "hey, let's win some Awards!" and if we have to cheat or bend the rules to do so, then so be it". And then the laughable Jury at Lynx. Are they too busy preening themselves before the mirror of self-important vanity to do the due diligence necessary to ascertain whether entries are legal, relevant and appropriate or not. Duh! And finally, all the wannabees who entered and didn't get an Award, who are rubbing their hands with glee and putting the boot in to a fallen colleague. Jealousy and small-mindedness. Instead of so many column inches of tall poppy syndrome, why not address the following: a. brown envelope numbers to win business "The Wasta" principle. b. Free pitching. Again, I say it: free pitching. Where's the campaign against this practice? c. Intellectual copyright and the abuse thereof. d. Clients taking agencies' work and then getting someone to else to do it cheaper. See c. e. Widespread mediocrity and safehood. And the battle for creativity. f. The club. Are you in or out? Come on grow up and be counted. Let's create rules, standards and principles to follow and adhere to . And forget the Awards debacle. It's all hogwash anyway. Today's story is tomorrow's fish and chip paper wrapping.