The eighth edition of the MENA Effie Awards (Effies) is set to take place on November 9, 2016, in the opulent settings of the Pavilion, Armani Hotel Dubai. More than 1,500 people, including many of the best marketers in the Middle East, are anticipated to attend this year’s ceremony, which honours the greatest and most effective marketing campaigns in the region.
With significant interest in this year’s awards, the organizers received a total of 850 entries, 40 percent of which were shortlisted, with judges selecting winners across November 6 and 7. This year will see a total of 23 categories hosted for entrants, including new categories for branded content, seasonal marketing and healthcare. All categories will fall under three umbrellas: 13 under ‘Product and Service’, nine under ‘Specialty’ and one under ‘Shopper Marketing’.
Alexandre Hawari, Co-CEO of Mediaquest, said: “We are delighted that our organization of this year’s annual MENA Effie Awards has yielded a team of distinguished figures participating as judges. The high quality of the panel means that this year’s Effie winners will have the kudos of their campaign coming from some of the guiding lights of the marketing world.”
The MENA Effie Awards have a widespread reputation as one of the most important and prestigious awards programs in the region’s marketing calendar. The event focuses on honouring marketing ideas that achieve the best results. The awards were first established in 2009 with the aim of establishing the gold standard of regional creative marketing brilliance.