The 26 finalists in The Times Press Challenge were showcased on the Bizcommunity website, where members of the public voted on the most creative rapid response print ad entries. FoxP2 won the public vote for their Ster Kinekor Bollywood-drama ad, inspired by the Gupta wedding fiasco which dominated the news at that time.
Trevor Ormerod, GM Advertising Sales and Strategic Communications for Times Media was impressed with the quick-thinking and often witty entries received from SA's leading creative agencies, saying "the competition was so well-received by the creative community that we're delighted to announce a repeat of the initiative in 2014."
Stephen Haw, editor of The Times daily newspaper judged which entries would receive the free full-page placement in the newspaper, thereby also qualifying for entry into the Loeries Newspaper category, courtesy of Times Media. Haw felt the initiative should be extended for a longer period during 2014, owing to the volume and quality of ads vying for his attention this year.
Bizcommunity reader, Joanne Scholtz, was also rewarded for voting online, and received a Samsung tablet together with a digital subscription to the Sunday Times and The Times.
The Times the sponsored the Loerie Awards in the prestigious Tactical Use of Newspaper and Newspaper Advertising categories. Proving once again that print remains a cornerstone for gaining wide reach into the consumer target market, 12 Loeries were awarded with a total of four Gold Loeries being presented by Ormerod on Saturday evening.
In the Tactical Use of Newspaper category, a Loeries Bronze was awarded to King James for Santam's Halloween ad, while a Gold went to Metropolitan Republic for MTN's 'it's not a poster, it's an ATM' entry. In the Newspaper Advertising category, Ogilvy & Mather (Jhb), FoxP2, Volcano and Ireland Davenport claimed Bronze awards. Silver Loeries went to Ogilvy & Mather (CT) for Volkswagen, TBWA Hunt Lascaris (Jhb) for Twinsaver, and NetworkBBDO for Mercedes Benz.
Gold Loeries were awarded to DDBSA for McDonalds, TBWA Hunt Lascaris (Jhb) for Flight Centre, and Lowe & Partners (CT) for the Cape Times. The winning entries can be viewed at http://www.tmadroom.co.za/loerie-awards-2013-main.
"We're very proud of our sponsorship of the Loeries, and the support The Times and Times Media provides by acknowledging the engaging creativity that is essential for hitting the sweet-spot with readers," concludes Ormerod.
The Times Press Challenge 2013 winners, as voted by readers of www.bizcommunity.com:
First place: Client - Ster Kinekor; Agency - FoxP2
Second place: Client - L'Oreal; Agency - McCann
Third place: Client - Toyota Landcruiser; Agency - Draft FCB
