WARC launches Prize for MENA Strategy 2018
Wasim Basir of Coca-Cola MENA appointed jury chair. First judges named
WARC, the global marketing intelligence service, is today launching the WARC Prize for MENA Strategy 2018, a search for the best strategic marketing thinking that has driven results in the region.
Now in its second year, the Prize is free to enter and is open to agencies and brand owners in any marketing discipline.
As well as Gold, Silver and Bronze accolades, the Grand Prix for the best overall paper will receive USD$7,000 and three Special Awards will be presented with USD$1,000 each in recognition of specific areas of excellence:
The Research Excellence Award for the best use of research in the development of strategic ideas.
The Brand Rebel Award for the best example of a campaign departing from category norms.
The Local Hero Award for the best example of a challenger brand from the MENA region using smart marketing strategy to take on bigger competitors.
Lucy Aitken, WARC’s Case Study Editor, says: “Across MENA, new markets and new consumers are demanding new insights, so the onus of these awards is on strategy. Following a successful first year, we want this free-to-enter Prize to again act as a spur for strategic thinking that helps clients solve problems and provide a base for future growth.”
The 2018 awards will be chaired by Wasim Basir, Director – Integrated Marketing Communications, Coca-Cola MENA. As part of his 13-year career at the company, he has worked on some of Coca-Cola’s most exciting and successful endeavours, including the Beijing Olympic Games, Shanghai World Expo and Coke Studio India.
Commenting on his up-coming role, Basir says: “A great strategy is a cogent and smart distillation of the problem. Once the problem is identified as such, solutions flow. In MENA, when there is so much pressure on business results, it is the right strategy that will separate the winners from the also-rans.”
An eminent judging panel of strategy experts and senior marketers from some of the world’s biggest brands will join Wasim Basir to judge the entries.
In addition to Basir, nine jury members have already been appointed:
Wasim Basir – Director, Integrated Marketing Communications, Coca-Cola MENA – Chair of the Judges
Ahmad Abu Zannad – Regional Strategy Director, Leo Burnett MENA
Ahmed Al Sahhaf – General Manager of Marketing Communication, STC
Luca Allam – Managing Director, PHD UAE
Matthew Butterworth – Managing Director, MullenLowe MENA
Laura Chaibi – Head of Digital Research, MBC
Habib Daher – Business Unit Director, OMD Egypt
Mona Elsayed – Regional Planning Director, JWT Gulf
Naila Fattouh – Head of Strategic Planning, FP7 Cairo
Maysoun Hanna – Marketing Communications, Apple