MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As) announced the return of the biggest awards show in the industry, the 25th Agency of the Year Awards (AOY).
The entry kit is now available for download on its website. The deadline for entries is June 30.
AOY celebrates and honors the best-performing creative, media, digital, and activation agencies as well as audio, film, and post-production houses in creative work, management of business, market performance, and industry leadership and community service.
The awards show is open to independent agencies as well as networks. Last year, AOY demonstrated just how powerful of a force independent agencies in the Philippines are, as Propel Manila swept five categories on top of winning 2022 Digital Agency of the Year and 2022 Independent Agency of the Year. Octopus & Whale also won its first-ever plate: Independent Agency of the Year for Best in Industry Leadership and Community Service.
“Being honored, by respected peers, as 2022’s Philippine Independent Agency of the Year has been quite significant for our indie shop. AOY captures a holistic view of our agency’s people, creative, business-health, alongside our resolve in contributing to industry-citizenry, and responsibility to the community,” said Propel Manila CEO JC Valenzuela.
Back at the awards night for AOY 2022, Octopus & Whale Founder Joey David-Tiempo said it to adobo magazine well: “For a tiny three-year-old agency, the plate felt big. Even bigger as we rise out of a three-year lockdown because this means we survived – and served both the industry and our community.”
The awards are also significant to media agencies. IGP Mediabrands’ UM swept AOY 2022’s Media Agency of the Year, Best in Management of Business, and Best in Media Creativity. “[It] was an exceptional win because it recognizes the three areas that are among the reasons for our phenomenal growth and continued success. All three plates are connected and reflect our foundational strength in media as well as our accomplishments in new and emerging areas that are linked to creativity and data-informed solutioning,” said IPG Mediabrands CEO Tricia Camarillo.
AOY has been setting a standard for excellence in the Philippines for more than two decades. As a testament to its ability to build reputation and credibility, agencies continue to aspire for an AOY win year after year: Seven A.D. is the record-holder for Independent Agency of the Year, Film Pabrika for Production Excellence for Film, and TBWA for Network Agency of the Year.
Portia Catuira, TBWA\SMP Chief Operating Officer, said, “Winning our first AOY plate in 2004 was incredibly meaningful and memorable for our agency. It brought a sense of legitimacy and validation to our work. Being recognized alongside industry giants made a significant impact, as clients started to take notice of us and our capabilities. It marked a turning point for our agency, opening doors to new opportunities and growth.”
For Teeny Gonzales, Seven A.D. CEO, “Winning the Independent Agency of the Year for seven straight years has been one of the biggest feathers in our cap. Because the agency is judged holistically, the AOY is a testament that all the agency’s hard work and commitment to the craft and to the client paid off.”
Marivic San Juan, Film Pabrika COO, shared, “We have been honored to be the recipient of the AOY Production Excellence for Film almost every year of our existence, especially because this is from our valued partners in the industry. We are grateful that all our efforts are recognized, to us, this is truly what matters.”
AOY 2023 is all about transformation. To celebrate and commemorate the incredible 25 years, it pays tribute to the enduring and thriving industry with the theme “Beautiful Evolution.”
Download the entry kit here.
