After Colenso BBDO’s record week at Cannes the region’s most effective creative agency ranked 5th in the world on 2012 Effie Effectiveness Index

New Zealand agencies put on an impressive showing last week at Cannes with Colenso BBDO scooping 12 Lions, beating the previous New Zealand record (set by Colenso in 2010) by two and achieving a new ‘personal best’ for the agency.

As reported previously by CB, Colenso BBDO was Australasia’s most successful agency at Cannes with GPY&R Melbourne and Whybin\TBWA Sydney the next best with eight Lions each.

The performance at Cannes caps off a remarkable week for Colenso, which included being ranked fifth in the world on the 2012 Effie Effectiveness Index, and Australasia’s most effective creative agency.

“Our approach has always been harnessing the power of creativity to produce great outcomes for clients. We know that great work, works and last weeks’ recognition at Cannes highlights the link between creativity and effectiveness,” says Aussie expat Nick Garrett, managing director of Colenso BBDO – pictured top right with creative chairman Nick Worthington.

Colenso’s work for DB Breweries’ Export Dry and Monteith’s brands won a total of eight Lions. ‘The Wine is Over’ campaign for DB Export Dry took two Silvers and two Bronze Lions, including a Silver in the hard-fought Titanium and Integrated category; while Monteith’s ‘Sorry about the Twigs Folks’ work was awarded two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze.

Other Colenso campaigns to win Lions included the ‘Donation Glasses’ fundraising campaign for Pedigree that won a Gold Lion; and Mountain Dew Skate Pinball for Frucor, which won a Silver and two Bronze.

“To achieve such remarkable results on the world stage, across a wide range of clients and categories, in difficult financial conditions makes me incredibly proud. It’s testament to the continued evolution of the agency, and our focus on result-generating creativity,” says Garrett.

In its 59th year, the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity sets the benchmark for excellence in creative communications globally and received more than 34,000 entries for this year’s awards.

“The level of work at Cannes was exceptionally high this year, so it’s great to see Kiwi creativity and effectiveness being recognised on the world stage,” says Nick Worthington, Colenso BBDO’s creative chairman, who was also president of the promo & activation jury.

The Auckland agency was punching above its weight within the 288-office BBDO group, accumulating more Lions than any other BBDO office worldwide; and it was the second most effective BBDO agency in the Effie Effectiveness Index after Sancho BBDO (Bogata), who ranked second equal.

Other New Zealand agencies awarded at Cannes include Clemenger BBDO, who picked up three Lions, Special Group won two, while Publicis Mojo, DDB and Saatchi and Saatchi all picked up one Lion each.