Durban is ... objectively the best

The Objectivity survey is carried out annually and has been running for the past 22 years. Every year, Objectivity interviews the clients of about 100 above-the-line South African advertising agencies to determine how each client rates the performance of their agency.

The categories in which each agency are rated is determined by each clients' needs and objectives. In 2004, the top five categories, as rated by the clients, were professionalism and reliability; creativity; client knowledge and understanding; strategic planning; and the effectiveness and cost effectiveness the agency.

As an agency, TBWA Hunt Lascaris Durban was consistently rated the best international agency in the creativity, effectiveness of communication / cost effectiveness and strategic planning categories. The agency was ranked in the top 10 for client knowledge and understanding as well as professionalism and reliability.

With such phenomenal results in most categories, the agency is proud to be acknowledged for the work they do in building their client's brands.

"Durban is often ignored and seldom recognised as being a leader in anything, so to be number one international agency in South Africa and to be Durban based is especially sweet," said James Porter, Executive Chairman of TBWA Hunt Lascaris Durban.

Originally under the banner of The Bates Group, the company was established in 1976, Twenty years later, TBWA Hunt Lascaris took over the reins, and brought the company under the umbrella of the Omnicom Group, the number one communications group worldwide.

Now the largest advertising agency in KwaZulu-Natal, TBWA Hunt Lascaris Durban's client list includes Aerolite; Beiersdorf; Dunlop; Illovo; Lee Chem; Sara Lee; SPAR, Tops and Build it; and Woodlands Dairy. Campaigns created for SPAR, Sara Lee and Beiersdorf have been used internationally, with commercials being screened in many countries around the world. The agency employs over 120 people to work on these accounts.

Richard Cassels, MD of TBWA Hunt Lascaris Durban, says the agency owes its success to teamwork and dedication. "It's through our support and understanding of one another that we've won this award," said Cassels.