The One Club for Creativity has announced more than 240 creative leaders from 40 countries who will serve on the global jury for The One Show 2025, including nine based in two countries across the Middle East, namely Lebanon and the UAE.
The One Show is one of the world's most prestigious award shows in advertising and design. For over 50 years, the Gold Pencil has been regarded as one of the top prizes in the creative industry. This creative prize has a rich legacy of honoring some of the most groundbreaking ideas, created by some of the most remarkable minds in creativity.
The good news here is that at the upcoming 2025 One Show Festival, the Middle East will have its first ever Jury President, as Ali Rez, Chief Creative Officer for IMPACT BBDO will be leading the Interactive, Online and Mobile jury.
It is worth mentioning here that IMPACT BBDO remains the only Middle East agency to have won the Best of Discipline Pencil at the One Show – the equaivalent of a Grand Prix - not once, but twice.
Commenting on the announcement, Rez said, “I clearly remember winning my first One Show as a student way back, and the goosebumps it brought. The feeling is no different today. I’m extremely proud to represent the Middle East and the UAE at this most prestigious of shows.”
Previously, Ali Rez has been named as the first Jury President to represent the Middle East at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2023, and at the Clios in 2024. He is also currently leading the regional jury for the ANDY’s.
More than 240 leaders from 40 countries have been invited to the One Show to judge some of the world’s best work in 2025.
“The One Show’s reputation is built on the integrity of its juries and judging process,” said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club. “This year’s Jury Presidents will help further this legacy of the fairest and most positive judging process.”
This year’s jury members from the Middle East are as follows.
Lebanon
- Manal Naji, senior CD, Leo Burnett, Beirut (Out of Home/Print & Promotional)
United Arab Emirates
- Lara Assouad, ECD, Landor, Dubai (Design)
- Saleh El Ghatit, ECD, Serviceplan Middle East, Dubai (Branded Entertainment)
- Federico Fanti, CCO, FP7 McCann, Dubai (Branded Entertainment)
- Alejandro Fischer, SVP, strategy & product innovation, Havas, Dubai (IP & Product Design)
- Aakriti Goel, head of strategy & insights, Leo Burnett, Dubai (Creative Effectiveness)
- Mike Menz, creative lead, Yango Play, Dubai (Moving Image Craft & Production)
- Ali Rez, CCO, Impact BBDO, Dubai (Interactive, Online & Mobile, Jury President)
- Rana Sadek, CD, Impact BBDO, Dubai (Radio & Audio)
A complete list of all jury members for The One Show 2025 can be viewed here.
Entries to The One Show 2025 can be submitted now, with fees increasing after each deadline period.
Finalists will be announced in April 2025, with Gold, Silver and Bronze Pencil and Merit winners announced in May during Creative Week 2025 in New York.
Agencies, brands, production companies and individuals responsible for winning work are included in The One Show Creative Rankings, as well as The One Club’s Global Creative Rankings, which combine points for winning work in The One Show, ADC Annual Awards, Type Directors Club TDC competition, Art Directors Club of Europe (ADCE) Awards, and ONE Asia Creative Awards. Winners are ranked globally, regionally and by country.
Early entry deadline is December 13, 2024, with the regular deadline January 31, 2025. The extended deadline is February 14, 2025, and final deadline February 28, 2025.
