Nature, as we are taught at school, abhors vacuum. But what our teachers never told us is that nothing abhors vacuum more than talent. Talent just needs to express itself – a desire so irresistible it can leave no gap unfilled. In our advertising ecosystem, this is where a useful organism comes in: opportuneurs. (more...) 
JWT MENA had an especially strong performance at this year’s Cristal Awards. The Cristal Awards honor the best in brand communications across North Africa and the Middle East. This year, JWT MENA swept the event, bringing home a host of awards across seven offices and the coveted title of ‘Advertising Network of the Year’ . (more...) I think that media can often be the modern day equivalent of Attila the Hun. In this shape, indeed, at its worst, media looks at everything as a territory to conquer and pillage rather than a canvas, and seeks to exploit it as such to the full, regardless of the damage this may cause.
(more...) It pains me to say it, but I often get the feeling that this business of ours is losing its magic. In fact, it is not just a feeling but a sad realization. There is a host of reasons to support this, but the most important is connected to something I would like to call “the imperative of eliminating unpredictability.” (more...) I’ve seen bad ads in my life – God knows I’ve made a few myself – but the one I watched recently was in a league of its own. In fact, it sits on top of the intergalactic premier league of poor advertising. And it wasn’t bad, no. It was beyond bad. (more...) It’s amazing what a little competition can do. One minute you’re just a commuter on the day-to-day train of routine, contemplating a brief with as much appetite as an anorexic supermodel suffering from nausea, and the next you’re a boy racer at a set of traffic lights. And it doesn’t take much, really. In fact, much as anyone would prefer to work at the stress levels of a Buddhist monk, there is nothing like the intoxicating whiff of an adversary, real or intangible, to make a brief look like a fondant au chocolat after a month-long diet. (more...) Ramsey Naja, Chief Creative Officer for JWT Middle East and Africa, is a regular contributor to Campaign Middle East. From agency culture to awards and management, his unique insights on critical agency issues are sure to make an impact.
In this post, Ramsey looks at the corporate jungle. More specifically, he talks about how to deal with "downcutters," those who survive by cutting others down in the agency ecosystem. Check out the full post, Survival of the most venomous. 
By the time this column is published, the Nobel Peace Prize will have been announced and probably generated more angst-ridden debate than necessary. Regardless of its recipient, however, one thing cannot be argued: the Nobel Peace Prize remains the greatest award this side of sainthood.
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