DUBAI: The MENA region was among the big winners at this year’s D&AD Awards, which showcase the world’s best commercial creativity in design, advertising, craft and production. The UAE won seven awards, including a graphite “pencil” — as the accolades are known — for the Adidas “Liquid Billboard” campaign by Havas Middle East and Jack Morton in the press and outdoor category, and two wood pencils in the PR and media categories. “The Elections Edition” by Impact BBDO Beirut and Dubai and Dejavu won a yellow pencil in the press and outdoor category and a wood pencil in the impact category. Dubai Tourism’s campaign “Dubai Presents” by Mother London and MJZ London was awarded a wood pencil for film, while Memac Ogilvy’s campaign “IKEA Aliens” won a wood pencil for branding. Egypt won two wood pencils in the film category for the campaign “The Night is Young” by Publicis Italy. Qatar also won a wood pencil for “Calling Attendance” by Across the Pond for the Education Above All Foundation in the casting category. Lebanon won a total of 15 pencils, with 13 of those going to “The Bread Exam” campaign by McCann Health and McCann Paris for the Lebanese Breast Cancer Foundation. It took two yellow, five graphite and six wood awards across eight categories including direct, film, entertainment, digital, impact, media, PR and casting. Saudi Arabia did not win any pencils but was shortlisted for the “Meet Sarha” campaign by Wunderman Thompson Riyadh. The D&AD Awards are presented annually in 40 categories including animation, book design, e-commerce, casting, film, editing, illustration, photography, production design and typography.