Dubai Lynx, the foremost platform in the MENA region for recognizing creative excellence and effectiveness, has named Ali Rez as the Advertising Person of the Year for his outstanding contribution in 2024. This prestigious award acknowledges individuals who have made notable contributions to the advertising industry in the MENA region during the preceding year.

Making a statement about the Award, Philip Thomas, chairman, Dubai Lynx, commented, “We are delighted to honour Ali Rez this year, with such an important accolade. He is a true trailblazer for the region and has shown an incredible commitment to boosting the region’s global standing in producing the best creative work. We are pleased to recognise the crucial contribution Ali has made and we can’t wait to see what’s next for him.”

Ali Rez, a three-time recipient of Campaign Magazine’s Creative Person of the Year title, holds the distinction of being the most honored creative leader in the Middle East. Currently, he oversees creative output for the IMPACT BBDO Group throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan. Under his leadership, Impact BBDO achieved a historic milestone as the first MEA agency to secure a position in the Global Top 10 rankings on both the WARC and World Creative Rankings in the same year.

Additionally, the agency garnered 29 No.1 Regional Agency accolades in 2022 and 2023, contributing significantly to the UAE’s recognition among the Top 10 Creative Countries in Cannes Lions rankings. Throughout his illustrious career spanning over two decades across four continents, Ali has amassed close to a thousand international awards, including numerous Grands Prix at major industry events. His impact at Dubai Lynx alone includes 23 Grands Prix wins, with an additional two Grands Prix victories at Cannes Lions. In 2023, he made history as the first Jury President from the Middle East in the 70-year existence of Cannes Lions.

With a vision to elevate the UAE to the top spot in Creativity Rankings, Rez has introduced several groundbreaking achievements to the region, such as securing the first One Show Best in Discipline Pencil and the inaugural Andy Bravery Best in Show award. However, among his many accolades, he holds a special pride in winning the Glass: The Award for Change at three different LIONS Festivals: Spikes Asia, Dubai Lynx, and Cannes Lions.

Ali Rez, chief creative officer for Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, IMPACT BBDO Group, said, “What an incredible honour this is. Honestly speaking though, this award should be named Advertising Persons of the Year, since it needs to include the best team in the world that I am most fortunate to be working with, and without whom I wouldn’t be here. I also owe a great deal to generous leaders like Dani Richa and David Lubars for helping me get this far. A big shout out to Dubai Lynx for doing all that they do to expand creativity in the region.”

The announcement of the 2024 recipient of the Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year, Outstanding Contribution Award, will occur during the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony at the Emirates Golf Club on Wednesday, March 6th.