KUWAIT: Madhi Al-Khamis, secretary general of the forum delivers his speech. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: The Arab Media Forum honored on Tuesday winners of the '2017 Creative Advertisement Award' that was organized by the forum, the ministry of information, Kuwait Media Association and the International Advertising Association (IAA). In his opening speech at the ceremony, Madhi Al-Khamis, secretary general of the forum, said the event highlights efforts by Kuwaiti advertising and production institutions and companies, with the aim of encouraging them to develop this key industry. He explained that the jury was keen to choose the best ads that support creative ideas, contents and positive values within the community, and resist negative ones that invade our Arab culture.

Waleed Kanafani, head of the IAA - Kuwait branch, stressed the importance of such events in developing the advertising industry, adding that the partnership between the association and the media forum contributes to achieving this goal. Kanafani pointed out that the association notched up several achievements during the year, most notably gathering public relations and advertising students from various Kuwaiti universities around one table to discuss ways to improve the future of public relations and marketing.

Meanwhile, member of the judging committee and Egyptian radio broadcaster Osama Munir said the committee was keen on the creativity of the idea of advertising and its message. He added that the committee includes in its membership a group of academics and media and executive managers in the field of advertising.

The winners in creative category are National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), KIPCO, Kuwait Finance House, Boubyan Bank and Zain. The award of influential category went to Gulf Bank, Zain and Warba Insurance Company. The winners of the idea category are Dar Al-Tayyeb, Dukkan Bazzah and Hunger Station. The winners of the national campaign category are Ooredoo, Zain and Kuwait Finance House. As for the category of integrated campaigns, Gulf Insurance Company won along with Abyat, Kuwait Airways and Kuwait Finance House. The special award went to Kuwait TV and Local Flavor.

By Faten Omar