GEMAS Effie Mena Awards 2009

The GEMAS Effie Mena Awards 2009 made their debut at a glittering gala presentation ceremony in Dubai on 5th November marking a major milestone in the history of the region’s marketing sector. The red carpet event attracted more then 500 marketing professionals from across the region who gathered to celebrate and applaud the most effective communications campaigns launched during the past 18 months. There were some surprises, a few disappointments but a general consensus that the 2009 judging panel had elected worthy winners from the 68 campaigns shortlisted from the 200 plus original entries. Mohammed Sulaiman Al Fara (pictured), GM corporate communications, STC was named The GEMAS Marketer of the Year; AC Delco collected the Grand Prix for its Yes campaign for which it also scooped the Gold Award in the automotive category. Etihad Airways was awarded a Grand Prix special commendation for its Etihad marries India to the world campaign having won the gold in the travel, tourism and hospitality category. A full report follow in GMR December issue. For now, here's the brief list of winners: GRAND PRIX: ACDelco, The YES Campaign - Memac Ogilvy Judges' Special Commendation: Etihad, Etihad marries India to the World - OMD NON-FOOD FMCG: GOLD - Pond's, The Launch of Pond's in GCC - Memac Ogilvy SILVER - Band Aid, Cover theones you love - JWT BRONZE - Carefree, Carefree ME Launch - Lowe MENA         FOOD & BEVERAGES GOLD - Coca Cola, African Cup of Nations campaign - Fortune Promoseven SILVER - Kellogs Special K, Special K Drop a jeans size - Leo Burnett Dubai & OMD Dubai BRONZE - Doritos, Guess the mystery flavour - OMD BRONZE - Kraft Cheddar Cheese, Winning the battle of sexes - JWT         BEST NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH GOLD - Pond's, The Launch of Pond's in GCC - Memac Ogilvy SILVER - Le Mall, Le mall Launch - JWT         BEST USE OF CSR SILVER - Masafi, Masafi Corporate recycling initiative  SILVER - Oasis, Oasis - Water for Africa - Leo Burnett Dubai BRONZE - General Motors, Buckle Up Child Seat Safety         BANKING/FINANCE GOLD - MashreqBank, Get the Message, Wunderman         BEST YOUTH MARKETING CAMPAIGN GOLD - Aveo, Aveo Totally Street    SILVER - Doritos, Guess the mystery flavour, OMD BRONZE - Clean N Clear (Johnson & Johnson), Clean n clear, PromaxPR            AUTOMOTIVE GOLD - ACDelco, The YES Campaign, Memac Ogilvy SILVER - Aveo, Aveo Totally Street BRONZE - Ford Fiesta, Ford Fiesta Launch, Team Y&R            TRAVEL, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY GOLD - Etihad, Etihad marries India to the World, OMD BRONZE - Bahrain City Centre, A Groundbreaking Mall Experience, JWT Bahrain         MEDIA/INTERNET/CONTENT PROVIDER GOLD - ZEE Aflam, ZEE Aflam launch, Universal Media & Lowe MENA         REAL ESTATE BRONZE - Bahrain City Centre, A Groundbreaking Mall Experience