2016 Winners & Shortlists

FIRST ON 1ST

BrandHSBC
Product/ServiceBANK
EntrantJ. WALTER THOMPSON DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
CategoryAmbient Media: Large Scale
Entrant Company J. WALTER THOMPSON DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Advertising Agency J. WALTER THOMPSON DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Media Agency MINDSHARE MENA Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Production Company DEJA VU Dubai, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Brief Explanation

On the very first morning of the year, we set up special billboards across parks, jogging tracks and beaches of the city. These billboards were meant specifically for the first ones who came across them, and offered items like bicycles, headphones, go pro cameras and surf boards to help them with their fitness routine in the coming year. Considering everyone was bringing in New Year’s Eve just hours before, it was only the really dedicated ones who showed up at these locations and they were duly rewarded. Theses individuals were genuinely surprised by our gesture. Imagine their disbelief when they came across a billboard, in the wee hours of the morning that was put there just for them. We secretly filmed their reactions, and with their permission, posted a compilation video online. Their resolve and dedication inspired the millions who saw the video on social media platforms.

Creative Execution

People make majority of their financial decisions at the start of the year. This idea was implemented in the wee hours of the 1st of January. While the city and other brands were still asleep. We set up 16 of these billboards across 16 locations, and they stayed there till the first one’s s arrived and claimed their rewards. In the coming days, we posted the video of this initiative online, where it got millions of views and was well received. Thereby, we cemented ourselves firmly in the consideration set for people’s financial plans, both short and long term.

Results

1) 1.3 millions views in 5 days after video was posted 2) 10k+ shares 3) View rate more than twice he industry standard 4) Facebook fan base up by 30% 5) Most shared HSBC content video ever 6) Online leads for personal loans up by 16% and credits cards by 23% 7) Targets achieved: 86% new customers acquisitions, 112% personal loans, 90% credit cards 8) A wave of positive comments and responses

Credits

Name Company Role
Ramsey Naja J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Chief Creative Officer
Chafic Haddad J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Chief Creative Operations Officer
Gautam Wadher J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Creative Director
Akhilesh Bagri J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Creative Director
Mahesh Powar J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Senior Art Director
Nermine Barrada J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Senior Account Director
Rula Hajjar J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Sr. Account Executive
Nabil El Kourdy J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Account Executive
Zeina Saab J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Account Manager
Aly Seifelnasr J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Content Manager
Jaafar Atwi J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Head of Print Production
Badawi Elgharabli J. Walter Thompson - Dubai Head of Traffic