PASAY CITY – DDB Group Philippines with its integrated PR solutions arm Ripple8, Inc. bagged the much-coveted Agency of the Year trophy at the 16th Philippine Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines held last week.
This is the second time DDB Group has won as Philippine Quill Agency of the Year (AOY), the first being in 2013 in a close tie with two other agencies. It also notched second runner-up AOY in 2016. The IABC Quill Awards program is considered the most prestigious recognition given to business communication excellence that goes above the ‘best of the best’ communication efforts in the country. These are vetted against IABC’s seven-point global standards for excellence.
DDB Group Philippines garnered the most number of Excellence Awards, including top entries for DDB Culture Hub’s “People First” campaign and Ripple 8’s “Miss Universe: Confidently Beautiful with a Heart” campaign, and a merit for DDB Cares’ Filipino Heritage Festival.
DDB Group Ripple8 claims its Agency of the Year trophy at the IABC 16th Philippine Quill Awards ceremonies at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.
Ripple8 also earned a total of nine awards co-entered with Jollibee Philippines’ brand PR team: “Yes to Jollibee Burger Steak with Anne Curtis,” “The Sweet Sarap Jolly Spaghetti with Xia Vigor,” “Jollibee Chickenjoy Perfect Pairs Campaign,” “The Return of the Choco Mallow Pie,” “Savor Adventure Campaign with Jollibee Crispy Flavored Fries,” “Jollibee’s Top-Your-Own Cheesy Classic Jolly Hotdog Launch,” “Jollibee’s Strawberry Fries Tea Float Launch,” “Shaping a Child’s Formative Years with Family Bonding and Jolly Spaghetti,” and “#MissUatJollibee Brings Christmas Joy to Children.” These are in addition to awards won by Jollibee for its corporate PR initiatives.
Ripple8 also partnered with MERALCO on two Excellence awards for “Meralco Advisory: Enlightening Customers about Power Rate Adjustments” for Customer Relations and “MTech 2017: Journey to Tomorrow” under the Media Relations category.
It was also an auspicious year for the Group’s clients who secured top spots, with MERALCO as Company of the Year, and Jollibee as first runner-up. Smart was among the top five forerunners of the top award this year.
On the other hand, PLDT Home, a long-time client of the Group’s PR arm, bagged five trophies including two Excellence awards—one for the on ground activation Fibr XP: Bringing the PLDT Home Fibr Experience Nationwide, under Special Events, and another for the social advocacy campaign Connect with Purpose by PLDT Home, under Social Media Programs.
“We are honored to win alongside our clients whose work validates the importance of purposeful communication. They have helped build DDB Group into the most integrated, dynamic and effective marketing communications group of companies that it is today,” said Group Chair and CEO Gil Chua.
Bob Vito, Managing Director of Ripple8, shared that creativity, passion and strategic persuasive communications are just a few of the strengths that helped Ripple8 create groundbreaking PR programs for both internationally-recognized clients, entrepreneurial ventures and utility giants recognized at the 16th Philippine Quill Awards.
“Our purpose is to create ripples of positive change through the stories and campaigns we co-create with our clients,” Vito shared. We want to transform public relations from being reactive to more proactive. We plan to do this through our newest offering—Predictive PR.”
Anna Chua-Norbert, DDB Group’s Chief Culture Officer noted that a solid heart for people within the organization has helped define DDB’s DNA in every campaign:
“At DDB Group we believe in our culture to put People First. Talented people performing at their full potential will consistently produce extraordinary creative product and outstanding client service for which we will all benefit and be well rewarded. The key to unleashing people’s potential to create more value for our clients’ brands and, in turn, more value for us, is in the DDB Group culture we all embrace. The award honors the work of all the people in our Group who believe with us and in us.”
It will be noted that DDB Group Chair and CEO Gil Chua also won in last year’s CEO EXCEL award, another program of IABC Philippines.
In main image, DDB Group Ripple8 is Agency of the Year at the IABC 16th Philippine Quill Awards.
