Shortlist announced for 2019 Transform Awards MENA

For six years, the Transform Awards Middle East and North Africa has celebrated rebranding and brand development across the region. Previous winners have exemplified best in class work in the field of brand strategy and have shown a consistent development of the brand industry across the MENA region.

The 2019 Transform Awards MENA, taking place on 30 April, has now announced this year’s shortlist. There has been an increased focus on FMCG, food and drink and retail packaging across the shortlist. Additionally, governmental organisations across the region, from tourism boards to charitable foundations, have impressed judges with the quality of their work.

Last year saw major real estate developer Meraas take home a number of awards, including the ‘Grand prix’ as a result of its eye-catching and well-developed visual identity and brand architecture. The awards also recognised excellence in the telecommunications and financial services sectors as a number of gold awards were given to companies in those spaces.

Judges convened this year, for the first time, to examine and debate the merits of every entry in person. Typically, this process had been carried out remotely. But, with the ability to meet in person, judges were able to further discuss each project, making this year’s shortlist the most competitive yet. “The level of debate, discussion and dialogue was an inspiration to all,” says publisher of Transform magazine Andrew Thomas. “The standardisation of the judging process has led to a more rigorous approach.”

Shortlisted companies are invited to book their tables for the celebratory awards ceremony now. To book, click here or call +44(0)20 3950 5356.

The full shortlist is as follows:

Best use of a visual property
Azerbaijan Tourism and Landor
Cryosave Arabia and Eleven Creative Strategy
Ellaycom and BOND
Evercare and FITCH
Joali and Landor

Best brand architecture solution
ADK - Al Dahra Kohinoor and Brand Lounge
AIMS -Abdullah Ibrahim Mohammed AlSubeaei and Brand Lounge
Hikma and Prophet
Lapita Hotel & Resorts and RUYA

Best use of copy style/tone of voice
Arada
Azerbaijan Tourism and Landor
Joali and Landor

Best brand experience
Jack Daniel's and JansenHarris
Joali and Landor
JustKidding Middle East and Skyne
SIG Combibloc Obeikan and Brand Lounge
STC Pay and Bellwether

Best use of packaging
Al Hosn Flour and Brand Lounge
Meethaq Neswa and OHI Leo Burnett
Usturah and Brand Lounge

Best use of audio branding
King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and Massive Music

Best use of typography
Blends and FITCH
Nareel’s Cookies and BOND
Private Residences managed by Dorchester Collection and Fifth Estate
TAWAL and Bellwether

Best place or nation brand
Azerbaijan Tourism and Landor
Cairo111 and FITCH

Best internal communications during a brand development project
Khalifa University and BOND
STC and Bellwether

Best implementation of a brand development project
Azerbaijan Tourism and Landor
MUVI Cinemas and Bellwether
Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai
SHUROOQ and Bellwether
TAWAL and Bellwether

Best creative strategy
Evercare and FITCH
Hikma and Prophet
Joali and Landor
MUVI Cinemas and Bellwether
Saudi Aramco/King Abdulaziz Center and Prophet

Best brand evolution
Euro Mechanical and Jpd
Hikma and Prophet
Jabal Omar and Landor
Khalifa University and BOND 
SHUROOQ and Bellwether
The National and Omnia

Best strategic or creative development of a new brand
Al Murbarakah Foundation and Punch 
Cairo111 and FITCH
Evercare and FITCH
Joali and Landor
Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai
Sharjah Media Corporation and Tonic International

Best development of a new brand within an existing brand portfolio
Casa Oyla and Brand Lounge
Meethaq Neswa and OHI Leo Burnett
Saudi Aramco/King Abdulaziz Center and Prophet
STC Pay and Bellwether
TAWAL and Bellwether

Best naming strategy
Dusoul and FITCH
Ellaycom and BOND
Evercare and FITCH
Joali and Landor
Quro Obesity Center and Skyne

Best brand development project to reflect changed mission, values or positioning
Al Foah Dates Companyand Brand Lounge
EHS – Emitac Healthcare Solutionsand Brand Lounge
Jabal Omar  and Landor
Marjan and Landor
SHUROOQ and Bellwether
The National and Omnia

Best brand consolidation
Hikma and Prophet

Best rebrand of a digital property
New Shababiah - Ooredoo Oman
Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai
STC Pay and Bellwether

Best visual identity from a charity, NGO or non-profit
Al Murbarakah Foundation and Punch
Holy Quran Academy  and Brand Lounge
Queen Rania Foundation and Landor

Best visual identity from the education sector
Khalifa University and BOND
Saudi Aramco/King Abdulaziz Center and Prophet

Best visual identity from the energy and utilities sector
Musandam Power and OHI Leo Burnett
TAWAL and Bellwether

Best visual identity from the engineering sector
Euro Mechanical and Jpd

Best visual identity from the financial services sector
Emirates NBD and Omnia
Meethaq Neswa and OHI Leo Burnett
STC Pay and Bellwether
VATPRO and Brand Lounge

Best visual identity from the food and beverage sector
Bâoli and JansenHarris
Jumeirah – Al Mabeet Desert Camp and Latitude
London Slide and JansenHarris
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi and Fludium
Usturah and Brand Lounge
Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi and Fludium

Best visual identity from the healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector
Cryosave and Eleven Creative Strategy
EHS – Emitac Healthcare Solutions and Brand Lounge
Evercare and FITCH
Hikma and Prophet
Quro Obesity Center and Skyne

Best visual identity from the industrial and basic materials sector
ALIF – AIMS Leading Industrial Factory and Brand Lounge

Best visual identity from the mining and extractives sector
Dragon Oil and Jpd

Best visual identity from the professional services sector
The Y Collective and Latitude

Best visual identity from the property, construction and facilities management sector

Cairo111 and FITCH

Jabal Omar and Landor

SLS Dubai and Fifth Estate

Piramal Mahalaxmi and RUYA

Private Residences managed by Dorchester Collection and Fifth Estate

The Fields and RUYA

The Residences and Latitude

Best visual identity from the public sector
Musandam Power and OHI Leo Burnett
Ras Al Khaimah Public Services Department and Omnia
SHUROOQ and Bellwether

Best visual identity from the retail sector
Blends and FITCH
Dusoul and FITCH
Ellaycom and BOND
Leem and Public
Nostalgia and RUYA

Best visual identity from the technology, media and telecommunications sector
Fusion5 and Brand Lounge
NgageU and Fludium
Sharjah Media Corporation and Tonic International
The National and Omnia

Best visual identity from the transport and logistics sector
Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai
RTA – Road & Transport Authority and Brand Lounge

Best visual identity from the travel, leisure and tourism sector
Azerbaijan Tourism and Landor
Hameni and RUYA
Joali and Landor
Lapita and RUYA
MUVI Cinemas and Bellwether

The winners of the ‘Best overall visual identity’ and
the ‘Grand Prix’ will be announced on the night.