FCB dominates CAANZ Beacon Awards

FCB Media – formerly known as DraftFCB Media – was the star of the show at tonight’s Beacon Awards.

The awards that celebrate creativity in media placement were held this evening at Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre. The theme was getting noticed.

FCB won big for its client Maritime New Zealand which nabbed several awards for its “nudging behaviour change” campaign.

Maritime NZ also took out advertiser of the year, an award based on points for awards collected.

A campaign for Sony mp3 players – in which it created a vending machine of walkmans immersed in water to show off their waterproof capabilities won several golds for FCB.

Its advertising for Noel Leeming picked up the best in show award.

The agency won prizes for a variety of its other clients including Maybelline, The Electricity Authority, The Health Promotion Agency, Noel Leeming, RaboDirect. It even managed to take out one of the NBR Best-Dressed Awards.

ABOVE: NBR Best-Dressed Man Michael James (OMD), NBR Group general manager Bill Bain and NBR Best-Dressed Woman:Ash Hekkens (FCB Media). Mr James and Ms Hekkens each received $1000 cash, delivered in a $500 Youmans capsule.

Despite dominating the other categories, the agency did not take out the media agency of the year award, which went to MBM.

Upon receiving the award MBM owner Sean McCready said it was awesome being an independent agency as they make their own decision.

“We have an amazing bunch of clients and they are fantastic New Zealand companies.

“We would be nowhere without people such as Special, Assignment Group and Sugar. The independent creative agencies have been amazing to us.”

The winner of the Sandy Smith Award for Inspiring Individual was Claire Harris who was presented the award by MediaWorks director of sales Liz Frazer. Ms Frazer said while Ms Harris’ no nonsense approach to business could sometimes ruffle feathers she was a truly transformative and caring individual.

ABOVE: The autdience crowds nto the Viaduct Events Centre.

MediaWorks won the media brand of the year award for its branded content initiatives such as the Block NZ, X Factor NZ.

Upon receiving the award chief executive Paul Maher said the last year had been an “itch”.

“But we had a plan and we reduced the costs of our deals and recommitted to local content and we’re committed to delivering values to our customers.”

The evening started slowly with a heap of house keeping but host Jesse Mulligan was able to move through the inaugural ceremony at speed.

The trophies designed by FCB were inspired by lighthouses and created from stone and glass, a real upgrade from the weird skull candles presented to winners at Axis.

Winners collected their awards on stage to theme music they had chosen thanks to an initiative by The Radio Network’s iHeartRadio.

Major Awards