Trans-Tasman indie agency Republik has taken home the top prize at the 2014 International ECHO Awards.
The Echo awards were held on October 28 and recognise excellence in direct and digital marketing.
Republik picked up the top prize with its ‘Wide War One’ campaign for Fuji Xerox – already a multiple award winner, including two trophies at the 2014 AMES Awards in Singapore.
The campaign won Gold as one of the top Business-to-Business campaigns globally, and the prestigious Diamond ECHO as the Best in Show.
Republik director Paul McNamara said: “To be up here with the best in the world and be awarded gold is hugely rewarding, but to get Best in Show is mind-blowing.”
McNamara was quick to credit the Fuji Xerox clients for their role in the result. He said: “Steven Caunce, Amber Henderson and Alistair Egan from Fuji Xerox are a great team and are fantastic to work with. They allow us to push the boundaries and that has delivered results. The campaign has completely exceeded Fuji Xerox’s sales targets and delivered an incredible ROI, making it one of the most effective campaigns of the year. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.”
Karen Rice Gardiner of the DMA International ECHO Awards Board of Governors said: “Your campaign captivated the ECHO judges. Your ingenuity, your marketing acumen and your flawless execution of the concept won our admiration.”
Wide War One was a fully personalised, dimensional DM piece, promoting specialist high-end, wide format digital printing and finishing equipment. Recipients responded via an online portal where they could personalise their own model WWII fighter planes, which were then downloaded and printed digitally onto specially imported balsa wood. The planes were then collected at the launch event and flown to compete for prizes.