The return of dictator Ben Ali - one of the good reasons why Ogilvy & Mather was made ‘Network of The Year’ in Cannes 2012

Cannes 2012 was an all round success for Ogilvy & Mather. The Network of the Year Award was presented to the Global Player along with a total of 83 Lions. Including one Grand Prix (Coke ‘Hands’ for Outdoor), 12 Gold-, 20 Silver- and 50 Bronze awards. A clear increase in comparison to last year’s record breaking 61 Lions.

‘The Return of Dictator Ben Ali’ campaign is particularly worth mentioning, since it won triple Gold for Ogilvy & Mather Tunisia (2x Promo & Activation as well as Branded Content & Entertainment).

They were commissioned with the campaign by the Engagement Citoyen (EC) organisation, which made it their mission to accompany Tunisia’s fight for democracy. The aim was to encourage voting in the upcoming elections. The citizen’s interest in political engagement had sunk to a worrying low following the rule of dictator Ben Ali. The attached spot shows how they managed to increase voter numbers. Not just a great success in Cannes. Even though I saw a couple of the older guests smiling hopefully. Or am I just imaging things?

The Worldwide Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy & Mather is Tham Khai Meng, who also happens to be the Film & Press Jury President of Cannes Lions 2012.

A run down of the Gold awards :

- 3x Gold for ‘The Return of Dictator Ben Ali’, Ogilvy & Mather Tunisia (2x Promo & Activation; and Branded Content & Entertainment)

- 1x Gold for its ‘Sprite Shower,’ Ogilvy & Mather Brasil - Sao Paulo ( Promo & Activation)

- 1 x Gold for its Carling Black Label ‘Be The Coach,’ Ogilvy Cape Town (Branded Content & Entertainment)

- 1x Gold for its Claro TV ‘Half of HBO for free,’ Ogilvy & Mather Guatemala (Direct)

- 1 x Gold for its Claro ‘A’ ‘T’ ‘S’ ‘I’ campaign, Ogilvy & Mather Brasil (Press)

- 1x Gold for its IBM ‘THINK’ campaign, Ogilvy & Mather NY (Design)

- 1x Gold for its Hellman’s ‘Recipe Receipt’ campaign, Ogilvy & Matcher Brazil (Promo & Activation)

- 1x Gold for its ‘Coke Hands’ campaign, Ogilvy & Mather, China (Outdoor)

- 1x Gold for its Forbes ‘Donald Trump’ campaign, Ogilvy & Mather Brazil (Outdoor)

- 1x Gold for its Coca-Cola ‘ Share a Coke’ campaign, Ogilvy & Mather Sydney (Outdoor)


Ogilvy & Mather employs 18,000 staff in 450 agencies and offices in 120 countries.