AWARD withdraws Network of the Year from Publicis and gives it to BBDO

Publicis has has its title of network of the year withdrawn by AWARD and given instead to BBDO.

AWARD said it made the decision after “a computational anomaly leading to the incorrect announcement” on Friday night.  

The title is based on points given to the network whose agencies scored the most  bronze, silver and golds at the AWARD Awards.

BBDO scored four of the six golds awarded on the night, through Clemenger BBDO and Colenso BBDO.

Daniel Leesong, CEO of The Communications Council, said the recount was requested by AWARD Chairman Craig Davis who is also chief creative officer of Publicis Mojo.

Agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi and Leo Burnett are part of the Publicis Groupe holding company but not part of the Publicis network.

According to The Communications Council: “Due to the unique nature of the Publicis Groupe there was confusion surrounding the network definition on the official entry forms. The anomaly occurred because a number of Publicis Groupe agencies entered ‘Publicis’ as their Network because of a general misunderstanding of the definition of ‘network’. This had skewed the points result towards Publicis. On a holding company level Publicis Groupe remains the most awarded group, however, on a network level BBDO is the rightful recipient.”

Leeson said: “We apologise for this unfortunate outcome, and for the confusion amongst agencies. Clearly, the Network of the Year prize should have gone to BBDO. We have today contacted them and offered our congratulations.”

He added: “The definition of ‘Network of the Year’ will be clarified ahead of next year’s AWARD awards to prevent this situation occurring in the future.”

The AWARD winners on the night (compere Julia Zemiro’s face has been obscured at the request of her management as her fee did not include her being filmed):