The Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) has received top honours at the Festival of Media Awards held in Switzerland last week. The group claimed the Network of the Year award following its 32 entries receiving awards across 13 different categories – more than any other network in the competition.
The Festival of Media is the world’s first festival of media rewarding creativity and innovation. As the premier annual gathering for the global media and communications industry, the Festival attracts around 700 delegates from over 40 countries. For two days it showcases inspiring conference sessions, an exhibition of new media opportunities and a global awards ceremony showcasing the best in creative media thinking and unrivalled networking opportunities.

SMG’s global network led the overall competition thanks to six wins, two honourable mentions and 24 total shortlists. Across the globe, SMG’s offices in Australia received eight awards followed by Norway, UAE and USA with four. Sweden received three while The Netherlands and UK both acquired two awards. Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Poland all received one.

Gordon Patterson, SMG South Africa’s Group Managing Director comments, “We’re delighted that our network has been recognised with this globally prestigious award. It again proves that our investment in becoming a truly ‘human experience” orientated company offing a clear competitive advantage”.  This is thanks to a truly integrated network, which expertly leverages insights, infrastructure and intellect to produce leading media campaigns. We’re proud to be part of the group and commend all key players in their involvement in securing the award.”

Since the Festival of Media Awards was established three years ago, SMG has been named Network of the Year twice, in 2009 and 2011. This is the first year that SMG has won the Grand Prix and the first major international honour for the “Hjerteknuser” work from Norway.  SMG is ranked one of the largest brand communications groups in the world.