AWARD crowns BBDO Network of the Year after admitting Publicis announcement was a mistake
AWARD has announced that BBDO is the Network of the Year, not Publicis, as presented at the AWARD Awards last Thursday night.
The recount followed heated debate on the CB Blog disputing the Network of the Year titlein the days following the AWARD Awards. The general consensus was thatBBDO should have taken the top spot, followed by Saatchi & Saatchiand Y&R on equal #2, DDB at #4, Leo Burnett at #5 and Publicis Mojoat #6.
Here is the official release: TheCommunications Council has clarified a computational anomaly leading tothe incorrect announcement on Friday of AWARD’s Network of the Year.
Theaward, made to the agency network with the most points from creativeawards given during the show, has been retrospectively awarded to BBDO.It had previously been awarded to Publicis.
DanielLeesong (left), CEO of the Communications Council, said the anomaly wasrecognised after a re-audit of all entries, initiated at the request ofAWARD Chairman Craig Davis.
Dueto the unique nature of the Publicis Groupe there was confusionsurrounding the network definition on the official entry forms.
Theanomaly occurred because a number of Publicis Groupe agencies entered’Publicis’ as their Network because of a general misunderstanding ofthe definition of ‘network’. This had skewed the points result towardsPublicis.
On a holding company level Publicis Groupe remainsthe most awarded group, however, on a network level BBDO is therightful recipient.
“We apologise for this unfortunate outcome, and for the confusion amongst agencies,” said Daniel Leesong.
“Clearly,the Network of the Year prize should have gone to BBDO. We have todaycontacted them and offered our congratulations,” he said.
All AWARD entries have now been reviewed and no other changes to the results were made, Daniel Leesong said.
“Thedefinition of ‘Network of the Year’ will be clarified ahead of nextyear’s AWARD awards to prevent this situation occurring in the future.”