DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Communicators call themselves ‘creatives’ for a reason. All corporate communications rely on a degree of creativity to succeed – the Dubai Lynx festival recognises that. For public relations, creativity is a mark of flexibility, ingenuity and smart planning. At the Dubai Lynx Awards, to be distributed on Wednesday, the shortlist reflects that.

Ann Maes, MD of Ogilvy PR Belgium and PR Jury president says, “Sometimes magic happens. At any moment, our creative brain juice leads to campaigns where we get to interact with the human mind in the most wonderful way. We convince, form opinions, change behaviour, create desire, build and maintain relations. There’s magical work out there. These little gems need to be celebrated and shared.”

At the Dubai Lynx festival of creativity, public relations activities from both B2B and B2C campaigns are recognised as among the best. The shortlisted campaigns and ultimate winners must show strategic planning and have an impact on business results.

Corporate reputation, brand voice and media relations – all core parts of the modern PR professionals responsibilities – are joined as well by CSR, events and experiential and public affairs and lobbying. The wide array of categories demonstrate the overall value of public relations and the necessity of creativity.

The winners will be announced on Wednesday evening in Dubai. Check back for the results.

The full shortlist is as follows: 

Corporate reputation & communication

The biggest art gallery in the world
Arabian contracting services (Al Arabia)
J. Walter Thompson Riyadh

Corporate responsibility

Price of water
Coca-Cola
Memac Ogilvy Dubai

Public affairs & lobbying
Not a bug splat
Reprieve / Foundation for Fundamental Rights
BBDO Pakistan Lahore

Events & experiential (incl. stunts and celebrity endorsement)
Perspectives
Emirates NBD
FP7/DXB Dubai

Driving change
Kafa (enough) violence & exploitation
Memac Ogilvy Dubai

The Supercop Cars
Dubai Police
FP7/DXB Dubai

The biggest art gallery in the world
Arabian Contracting Services (Al Arabia)
J. Walter Thompson Riyadh

Launch or re-launch
Hey future me...
Emirates NBD
FP7/DXB Dubai

Xperia Aquatech Store
Sony Mobile Communications
FP7/DXB Dubai

Xpatpets.com
Beta
J. Walter Thompson Beirut

Brand voice (incl. strategic storytelling)
Ikigai
Nescafé
Publicis Middle East Dubai

Fast moving consumer goods
Hello Happiness phone booth
The Coca-Cola company
Y&R Dubai

Consumer products
A German for Every Saudi
VW – Volkswagen
J. Walter Thompson Riyadh

Consumer services
Hey future me...
Emirates NBD
FP7/DXB Dubai

Revive culture
Mtv
Impact BBDO Beirut

Fundraising, Charities, Appeals, Non-Profit Organisations, Public Health & Safety, Public Awareness Messages
Not a bug splat
Reprieve / Foundation for Fundamental Rights
BBDO Pakistan Lahore

New breed of beggars
Donner Sang Compter (DSC)
Drive Dentsu Beirut

Perspectives
Emirates NBD
FP7/DXB Dubai

Project Akshar (alphabets)
Smartlife
FP7/DXB Dubai

Use of digital in a PR campaign
United hands
Beirut celebrations
République Beirut

Driving change
Kafa (enough) violence & exploitation
Memac Ogilvy Dubai

Use of social in a pr campaign
Revive culture
Mtv
Impact BBDO Beirut

Vote for us. We'll vote for you
Kafa
Leo Burnett Beirut

Integrated campaign led by PR
Touch-text if you can
Touch
J. Walter Thompson Beirut

Vote for us. We'll vote for you
Kafa
Leo Burnett Beirut