Dubai Lynx announces 2025 winners
9 April 2025 - Dubai Lynx, MENA’s leading platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, has announced the winners of its 2025 Awards, celebrating the most outstanding creative work from across the region.
In a testament to the evolving creative landscape in the MENA region, the newly introduced Use of Humour category received 3% of all entries, highlighting a growing appreciation for levity and comedic storytelling in advertising. Additionally, the creator-focused categories within the Social & Influencer Lynx Awards made a strong debut, garnering an impressive 14% of total entries into the Award, demonstrating the rising influence and relevance of content creators in the region’s advertising industry.
Philip Thomas, Chairman, Dubai Lynx, said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners, who have set a new standard for creativity in MENA. Their work not only captivates audiences but also delivers real impact – showcasing the strength of creative industries in the region. It’s an exciting time for the future of marketing and communication here.”
Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx, commented: “The winners this year are a true reflection of the bold, innovative, and culturally resonant work emerging from the MENA region. From the rise of humour as a powerful creative tool to the impact of creators in shaping brand narratives, the entries showcased a dynamic shift in how stories are being told – and who is telling them. We’re proud to celebrate this incredible talent.”
Kiran Jay Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer, Diriyah Company, headline partner for the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony, added: “The extraordinary quality of work awarded at Dubai Lynx this year is a testament to the creativity shaping MENA’s landscape. It’s inspiring to see how bold ideas continue to redefine the region’s global presence and creative identity.”
This year's Grand Prix winners are:
Audio & Radio
From 48 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Journey into Herstory’ for Al-Futtaim Toyota, by Al Futtaim Motors Toyota, Dubai / Memac Ogilvy, Dubai.
Brand Experience & Activation
From 151 entries received, 15 were awarded: 2 Gold, 5 Silver and 7 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Unsilence The Crowd’ for Sela X Newcastle United by Sela, Jeddah / VML, London.
Creative Commerce
From 49 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Selfless Shelves’ for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai.
Creative Effectiveness
From 20 entries received, 3 were awarded: 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Birthmark Stories’ for Hungerstation by VML, Riyadh.
Creative Strategy
From 65 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The New President’ for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Design
From 42 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Blind Faith’ for Bank Al Etihad, by VML Amman.
Digital Craft
From 31 entries received, 3 were awarded: 1 Gold and 1 Silver Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The 4th Judge’ for The Ring, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh.
Direct
From 92 entries received, 9 were awarded: 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Selfless Shelves’ for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai.
Entertainment
From 94 entries received, 9 were awarded: 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘5 vs 5’ for Riyadh Season by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh.
Film
From 117 entries received, 11 were awarded: 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Speedy Disclaimer Hijack’ for STING, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Film Craft
From 126 entries received, 12 were awarded: 3 Gold, 4 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Everything or Nothing’ for Riyadh Season, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh.
Glass: The Award for Change
From 12 entries received, 2 were awarded: 1 Bronze and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Selfless Shelves’ for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai.
Grand Prix for Good
The Grand Prix for Good was awarded to ‘Highlight Your Balls’ for Testicular Cancer Society, by FP7 McCann, Dubai.
Healthcare
From 30 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Insured Billboards’ for easypasia by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Industry Craft
From 66 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Explosion’, ‘Missile’, ‘Hero’, ‘Home’ for Al Joumhouria, by TBWA\RAAD, Dubai.
Integrated
From 11 entries received, 2 were awarded: 1 Silver Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The New President’ for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Media
From 109 entries received, 10 were awarded: 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Bribe Bucket’ for KFC, by TBWA\RAAD, Dubai.
Outdoor
From 77 entries received, 7 were awarded: 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Careem Beach’ for Careem, by Careem Dubai.
PR
From 81 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The Second Release’ for Billboard Magazine, by SRMG Labs, Riyadh
Print & Publishing
From 42 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The New President’ for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Social & Influencer
From 84 entries received, 7 were awarded: 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Obsession’ for Riyadh Season, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh.
This year's Special Awards winners are:
Network of the Year
1. VML
2. BBDO WORLDWIDE
3. McCANN WORLDGROUP
Media Network of the Year
1. HEARTS & SCIENCE
2. OMD WORLDWIDE
3. PHD WORLDWIDE
MENA Agency of the Year
1. IMPACT BBDO, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2. FP7 McCANN, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3. BIGTIME CREATIVE SHOP, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Independent Agency of the Year
1. BIGTIME CREATIVE SHOP, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2. SERVICEPLAN MIDDLE EAST, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3. ABDULLAH & SHOKRI, Cairo, Egypt
Lynx Palm Award
1. DEJAVU, United Arab Emirates
2. GOOD PEOPLE FILMS, Egypt
3. BLUE ELEPHANT, Saudi Arabia
This year's Young Lynx Integrated Competition winners are:
Gold
‘Collabs That Never Happened’
Ali Asif, Creative Lead & Momina Khan, Senior Art Director
Platformance Mena Marketing Management LLC
Silver
‘To Be Continued’
Robyn Rebello, Senior Creative Designer & Fairoos Peedikakandy, Senior Multimedia Designer
Burson
Bronze
‘ARKIVD - The 1 of 1 Social Club Concept’
Georgina Emile Awad, Graphic Designer & Helena Husam Ghishan, Content Lead
HUE Innovation & Design
The Dubai Lynx Creativity Report, which shines a light on the best creativity across MENA, as selected by Dubai Lynx Juries, will be released on Monday 17 April. The Report will feature exclusive insights from the Jury room, trends and themes that have emerged from the 2025 Awards, along with the annual rankings for this year’s top performing Networks, Agencies and Companies in the region. All results can be found at www.lovethework.com/work-awards/results.
ENDS
Contacts:
Camilla Lambert
PR Director
LIONS
Camillal@canneslions.com
Tash Naidoo
Senior PR Manager
LIONS
Tashn@canneslions.com
Kamille Marchant
Director
Dubai Lynx
Kamillem@dubailynx.com
Press Portal:
press.canneslions.com
Awards enquiries:
awards@dubailynx.com
Notes to editors:
About Dubai Lynx
Dubai Lynx is MENA’s leading Awards for creative excellence and effectiveness, in the Middle East and North Africa. Presented by Informa, organisers of Cannes Lions, together with their regional partners, Motivate Media Group, Dubai Lynx, is held in association with the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and with the support of Dubai Media City (DMC). The Awards serve as the definitive benchmark for creative excellence, marketing strategy and effectiveness in MENA.
www.dubailynx.com
About LIONS
As The Home of Creativity, LIONS is the destination for those in the business of creativity. As the definitive benchmark of creative excellence and with unparalleled access to insight on how it works, LIONS provides those on the journey to creative excellence all they need, at whatever stage they are at and wherever they are. Our annual five-day Festival, Cannes Lions, is the meeting place for the global creative marketing community and a celebration of the world’s most excellent and effective work.
www.lionscreativity.com
About Motivate Media Group
Motivate Media Group operates across the GCC and MENA region with a diverse portfolio of media interests comprising magazines, digital, social, video, exhibitions & events, cinema and books.
A leading publisher in the Gulf since 1979, its portfolio includes market-leading magazines, eight websites and over 300 book titles. Motivate’s digital and video division is an established content provider for some of the region’s largest companies and the Motivate events team expertly stage some of the GCC’s major award ceremonies, festivals and activations.
With a staff of more than 200 experienced and dedicated professionals, Motivate is committed to providing editorial excellence, and a corporate mission to develop integrated communication channels that entertain, inform and enrich.
Motivatemedia.com
In a testament to the evolving creative landscape in the MENA region, the newly introduced Use of Humour category received 3% of all entries, highlighting a growing appreciation for levity and comedic storytelling in advertising. Additionally, the creator-focused categories within the Social & Influencer Lynx Awards made a strong debut, garnering an impressive 14% of total entries into the Award, demonstrating the rising influence and relevance of content creators in the region’s advertising industry.
Philip Thomas, Chairman, Dubai Lynx, said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners, who have set a new standard for creativity in MENA. Their work not only captivates audiences but also delivers real impact – showcasing the strength of creative industries in the region. It’s an exciting time for the future of marketing and communication here.”
Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx, commented: “The winners this year are a true reflection of the bold, innovative, and culturally resonant work emerging from the MENA region. From the rise of humour as a powerful creative tool to the impact of creators in shaping brand narratives, the entries showcased a dynamic shift in how stories are being told – and who is telling them. We’re proud to celebrate this incredible talent.”
Kiran Jay Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer, Diriyah Company, headline partner for the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony, added: “The extraordinary quality of work awarded at Dubai Lynx this year is a testament to the creativity shaping MENA’s landscape. It’s inspiring to see how bold ideas continue to redefine the region’s global presence and creative identity.”
This year's Grand Prix winners are:
Audio & Radio
From 48 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Journey into Herstory’ for Al-Futtaim Toyota, by Al Futtaim Motors Toyota, Dubai / Memac Ogilvy, Dubai.
Brand Experience & Activation
From 151 entries received, 15 were awarded: 2 Gold, 5 Silver and 7 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Unsilence The Crowd’ for Sela X Newcastle United by Sela, Jeddah / VML, London.
Creative Commerce
From 49 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Selfless Shelves’ for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai.
Creative Effectiveness
From 20 entries received, 3 were awarded: 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Birthmark Stories’ for Hungerstation by VML, Riyadh.
Creative Strategy
From 65 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The New President’ for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Design
From 42 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Blind Faith’ for Bank Al Etihad, by VML Amman.
Digital Craft
From 31 entries received, 3 were awarded: 1 Gold and 1 Silver Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The 4th Judge’ for The Ring, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh.
Direct
From 92 entries received, 9 were awarded: 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Selfless Shelves’ for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai.
Entertainment
From 94 entries received, 9 were awarded: 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘5 vs 5’ for Riyadh Season by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh.
Film
From 117 entries received, 11 were awarded: 2 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Speedy Disclaimer Hijack’ for STING, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Film Craft
From 126 entries received, 12 were awarded: 3 Gold, 4 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Everything or Nothing’ for Riyadh Season, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh.
Glass: The Award for Change
From 12 entries received, 2 were awarded: 1 Bronze and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Selfless Shelves’ for Puck, by FP7 McCann, Dubai.
Grand Prix for Good
The Grand Prix for Good was awarded to ‘Highlight Your Balls’ for Testicular Cancer Society, by FP7 McCann, Dubai.
Healthcare
From 30 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Insured Billboards’ for easypasia by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Industry Craft
From 66 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Explosion’, ‘Missile’, ‘Hero’, ‘Home’ for Al Joumhouria, by TBWA\RAAD, Dubai.
Integrated
From 11 entries received, 2 were awarded: 1 Silver Lynx Award and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The New President’ for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Media
From 109 entries received, 10 were awarded: 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Bribe Bucket’ for KFC, by TBWA\RAAD, Dubai.
Outdoor
From 77 entries received, 7 were awarded: 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Careem Beach’ for Careem, by Careem Dubai.
PR
From 81 entries received, 7 were awarded: 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The Second Release’ for Billboard Magazine, by SRMG Labs, Riyadh
Print & Publishing
From 42 entries received, 4 were awarded: 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘The New President’ for Annahar Newspaper, by IMPACT BBDO, Dubai.
Social & Influencer
From 84 entries received, 7 were awarded: 2 Gold, 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Lynx Awards and the Grand Prix that went to ‘Obsession’ for Riyadh Season, by BigTime Creative Shop, Riyadh.
This year's Special Awards winners are:
Network of the Year
1. VML
2. BBDO WORLDWIDE
3. McCANN WORLDGROUP
Media Network of the Year
1. HEARTS & SCIENCE
2. OMD WORLDWIDE
3. PHD WORLDWIDE
MENA Agency of the Year
1. IMPACT BBDO, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2. FP7 McCANN, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3. BIGTIME CREATIVE SHOP, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Independent Agency of the Year
1. BIGTIME CREATIVE SHOP, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2. SERVICEPLAN MIDDLE EAST, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3. ABDULLAH & SHOKRI, Cairo, Egypt
Lynx Palm Award
1. DEJAVU, United Arab Emirates
2. GOOD PEOPLE FILMS, Egypt
3. BLUE ELEPHANT, Saudi Arabia
This year's Young Lynx Integrated Competition winners are:
Gold
‘Collabs That Never Happened’
Ali Asif, Creative Lead & Momina Khan, Senior Art Director
Platformance Mena Marketing Management LLC
Silver
‘To Be Continued’
Robyn Rebello, Senior Creative Designer & Fairoos Peedikakandy, Senior Multimedia Designer
Burson
Bronze
‘ARKIVD - The 1 of 1 Social Club Concept’
Georgina Emile Awad, Graphic Designer & Helena Husam Ghishan, Content Lead
HUE Innovation & Design
The Dubai Lynx Creativity Report, which shines a light on the best creativity across MENA, as selected by Dubai Lynx Juries, will be released on Monday 17 April. The Report will feature exclusive insights from the Jury room, trends and themes that have emerged from the 2025 Awards, along with the annual rankings for this year’s top performing Networks, Agencies and Companies in the region. All results can be found at www.lovethework.com/work-awards/results.
ENDS
Contacts:
Camilla Lambert
PR Director
LIONS
Camillal@canneslions.com
Tash Naidoo
Senior PR Manager
LIONS
Tashn@canneslions.com
Kamille Marchant
Director
Dubai Lynx
Kamillem@dubailynx.com
Press Portal:
press.canneslions.com
Awards enquiries:
awards@dubailynx.com
Notes to editors:
About Dubai Lynx
Dubai Lynx is MENA’s leading Awards for creative excellence and effectiveness, in the Middle East and North Africa. Presented by Informa, organisers of Cannes Lions, together with their regional partners, Motivate Media Group, Dubai Lynx, is held in association with the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and with the support of Dubai Media City (DMC). The Awards serve as the definitive benchmark for creative excellence, marketing strategy and effectiveness in MENA.
www.dubailynx.com
About LIONS
As The Home of Creativity, LIONS is the destination for those in the business of creativity. As the definitive benchmark of creative excellence and with unparalleled access to insight on how it works, LIONS provides those on the journey to creative excellence all they need, at whatever stage they are at and wherever they are. Our annual five-day Festival, Cannes Lions, is the meeting place for the global creative marketing community and a celebration of the world’s most excellent and effective work.
www.lionscreativity.com
About Motivate Media Group
Motivate Media Group operates across the GCC and MENA region with a diverse portfolio of media interests comprising magazines, digital, social, video, exhibitions & events, cinema and books.
A leading publisher in the Gulf since 1979, its portfolio includes market-leading magazines, eight websites and over 300 book titles. Motivate’s digital and video division is an established content provider for some of the region’s largest companies and the Motivate events team expertly stage some of the GCC’s major award ceremonies, festivals and activations.
With a staff of more than 200 experienced and dedicated professionals, Motivate is committed to providing editorial excellence, and a corporate mission to develop integrated communication channels that entertain, inform and enrich.
Motivatemedia.com
