DDB Singapore, McCann Malaysia and JEH United Bangkok score Best of Show gongs at AdFest

In the AdFest Press category, awarded on Saturday night in Phuket Thailand, Best of Show went to DDB Singapore for Rough Guide Budget Travel Guide, which also won Gold in Print. Only two other Golds were awarded – both awarded to BBDO Bangkok for the ‘Don’t Drive Sleepy Project.

In the Poster category, McCann Erickson Kuala Lumpur won Best of Show for ‘Riot’, The New Straits Times, and Gold, also for The New Straits Times.

Another Gold was awarded to SpicyH in Bangkok.

“It was not a vintage year in Press by Asia’s high standards. It was more a case of the familiar ideas being done well rather than any great strategic breakthroughs. Having said that, the Best of Press was exceptionally well-crafted and took a familiar idea to new heights,” says David Guerrero, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, BBDO Guerrero/Proximity Philippines and Jury President of the Press Lotus and Poster Lotus categories.

“We saw an interesting variety of posters, but in this category it was more of a struggle to get agreement among the Jury. Questions of eligibility cropped up more frequently and we saw an interesting collection of offices and small shops with glossy posters stuck up in them. Ultimately, we went for a beautifully crafted  idea with a rare edge to it that perfectly complemented the brand,” says Guererro.

In film, JEH United in Bangkok won Best of Show in Film for ‘Sorry Thailand’, The Positive Network, which also won Gold.

Another Gold was awarded to Ogilvy & Mather Group, Hong Kong for ‘It’s in our Nature’, Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts.

“This year there were less new and exciting things to watch, but despite this the work awarded stands out for its quality of ideas and crafting,” says Film and Radio Jury President Jureeporn Thaidumrong.

Only 11 awards were given out in Radio, including 8 Bronze and two Silver. There was no Best of Show or Gold winners in Radio this year.

“Overall the standard of work this year was higher than in previous years. The winning work possessed good ideas, clever copywriting and executions. But some of the entries felt a little predictable – the work was good but not great. I think every medium has the potential for innovation, including traditional media, so I’d like to see more innovation in the Radio category in future,” says Jureeporn.