“Celebrating Innovation and Young Talent” was the slogan of this year’s forth-annual MENA Cristal Award ceremony. A mix of advertising agencies, clients, producers, directors, media, survey companies and TV producers came together to celebrate and reward the region’s best advertising creations. Inspired by the Méribel Ad Festival in France, the event was held in Lebanon for the third consecutive year — the first having been held in Morocco. Event participates took advantage of the unique Mzaar Faraya Ski Resort venue from January 26 to January 29 by hitting the slopes and après ski scene, in addition to the festival. Many conferences, cocktails, lunches and dinner parties were also held in conjunction with the event.
Many key international figures and more than 400 professionals representing 20 countries attended the festivities. Cecilia Attias, the president of the Cecilia Attias Foundation for Women and former first lady of France, received an award of honor for her foundation. Osman Sultan, the CEO of du, received the Media Businessman of the Year award.
The MENA Cristal Awards reward the region’s best creativity with its famous Cristal prize, within different media categories — television, press, magazine, Internet and others. The jury, headed by Milka Pogliani, chairperson and executive creative director EMEA of MC Cann Worldgroup in Italy, consists of creative managers, agency managers and advertisers who vote by secret ballot. In Mzaar Faraya, Executive had the chance to glean insights from several industry leaders regarding the festival, the advertising industry and the current challenges that the industry is facing due to the global economic downturn.
