At Campaign Middle East’s first Agency of the Year awards, ASDA’A BCW won two awards for Regional Agency of the Year – UAE and PR/ Communications Agency of the Year.  In an interview with Campaign’s Jalaja Ramanunni , Sunil John, President – MENA of BCW and Founder of ASDA’A BCW, says why 2023 will be a strong year for PR in the MENA region. 

ASDA’A was founded in 2000 as an independent agency by Sunil John who continues to lead in the agency’s 22nd year. John spoke to us about a positive 2023 for the Middle East and North African markets.

Tell us about your journey to the award.

When Campaign had its first award in 2007, we were the PR agency that won PR agency of the year. Now Campaign has come back with its inaugural award in 2022 – and here we are again. It has been a fabulous journey for us from 2007 to 2022. We have been in the game for a long time. We launched ourselves in 2000 and it has been 22 years. We are a PR agency that founded a lot of what you see in the PR sector. We are happy that we are recognized for everything we did over 22 years.

How will the award help your agency to navigate forward in the industry?

Great work needs great recognition and to get it from Campaign Middle East awards is a fabulous way to be recognized for great work. This will be a great impetus for the teams inside. Awards are a great motivational force for agencies to go to the next level. I want to thank Campaign Middle East for recognising ASDA’A BCW.

Why should other agencies enter these awards?

Agencies are people-businesses and people need recognition. Awards are a way to recognise great work and the contribution of people. Other agencies should enter because these awards as it is a great motivational force. It can transform agencies and to miss that would be a mistake. To enter awards, show the best work that you’ve got and to be recognised from great juries as well is something every agency must do for the next year.

What does 2023 look like?

2023 is going to be a difficult year across the world with one exception, and that’s the Middle East and North African markets. This is a market with huge growth potential, obviously for links with higher oil prices and governments being in a much stronger position. We are looking at a strong 2023 despite the issues around the world. This is a time to invest in people and innovation and to consider integrated creative offers that can satisfy client needs. I am being very positive about 2023.

Campaign Middle East celebrated the best minds in advertising, marketing and media at the Agency of the Year Middle East awards 2022. View all the winners here.