07-07-2025
Agency of The Year Middle East 2025: First wave of judges
Campaign Middle East has revealed the first round of judges for the fourth edition of its annual Agency of the Year Middle East 2025 awards.
This first wave of 11 judges have been selected for their seniority, cross-sector expertise and sharp understanding of the media, advertising, marketing and communications industries.
They've built brands, led strategy, and navigated the shifting currents of media and marketing in the Middle East. Now, they're turning their attention to the region's best agencies.
Winning an Agency of The Year Middle East 2025 award gives your agency exposure and positions how effectively it works in front of potential clients. Shortlists and winners will be given editorial coverage in Campaign Middle East, with more than 20k newsletter subscribers and 90,000 monthly page views. Being shortlisted provides a unique platform to promote your agency and talent and boost morale.
Integrity is a core component behind awarded recognition and Campaign Middle East is committed to ensuring that the judging is fair, trustworthy, and ethical. MediaSense audits our judging process to ensure judges' decisions are objective and based only on the entry in front of them.
Enter now for a chance to be recognised as the best in the region. Entries can be made at a discounted rate for the early bird deadline of August 7, 2025. To download the full entry kit, click here.
To assist with the entry process, Campaign Middle East in partnership with Haymarket Media Group is hosting a free-of-cost awards clinic webinar on Thursday, July 10. Click here to sign up.
We asked the first wave of judges to share some tips entrants should consider when they create their entries for the Agency of The Year Middle East 2025 awards.
Here's what they had to say:
Khaled Al Shehhi, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, UAE Government Media Office
'Tell the story behind the numbers. This award isn't about campaigns; it's about your agency as a business. Show how you achieved what you did, what challenges you faced, and how your people made it happen.'
Jon Barber, Vice President – Marketing & Communications , TECOM Group
'Tell a compelling story with clarity and focus. Make sure your objectives, strategy, execution, and results are clearly linked and backed by evidence.'
Beatriz Bendetti, Head of Marketing MENA, BRF
'Choose your best business cases, which you are most proud of and which represent the agency's culture, and be clear when presenting the main results.'
Ahmed El Gamal, Partner & Co-founder / Executive Director of Marketing, Mr. Regimen
'What I'd like to see is why this problem mattered and the impact your work had in the real world. Be it brand, human, or commercial, every business has a number of challenges, but it's how you overcome these challenges that makes your case interesting.'
Melanie De Souza, Destination Marketing – Executive Director, Royal Commission for AlUla
'Tangible demonstration of how excellence and integrated marketing deliver against business objectives with qualified and quantified KPIs.'
Tiya Fazelbhoy, Global Marketing – Hydration, Sports & Teas, The Coca-Cola Company
'Structure your entry to tell a compelling story of how your agency strategically planned and executed initiatives that not only aligned with your client's clear objectives but also drove significant revenue and record-breaking results.'
Loay Nour, VP, Brand & Marketing Communications, Accor – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
'Demonstrate your KPIs and define how did you measure success.'
Wassim Derbi, Head of Marketing & Brand Communication, Hyundai Motors UAE
'Focus on quantifiable results. Back up every claim with hard data, metrics, and client testimonials that demonstrate tangible success. Highlight your agency's values, diverse talent, and collaborative environment. Give yourself ample time to gather information, write, and refine your submission.'
Manoj Khimji, Managing Director, The Vantage
'Be concise and prioritise the key points of the entry. Use design to draw attention to the main highlights of your presentation. Keep the entry 'real' such that judges can feel a connection to the work and the agency through the deck.'
Ramzi Atat, Head of Marketing & PR, Lotus Cars
'A strong entry isn't about listing everything you've done, It's about telling a sharp, emotionally engaging story that clearly connects creativity to commercial impact. Be bold, be selective, and most importantly, make us feel something.'
Nicola Porter, Executive Editor, Bloomberg Media
'Ensure the entry articulates your USP – what makes your agency stand out against the rest and what impact did it have.'
To stay updated with judges announcements for the Agency of the Year Middle East 2025 awards, click here.
