Coca-Cola Middle East has been named Dubai Lynx Advertiser of the Year.

During the past three years Coca-Cola has amassed a total of 42 awards at the festival, including 3 Grands Prix.

In 2016 alone, the company won an Interactive Grand Prix, a Gold Media Lynx Award and Bronze Lynx Awards in Integrated, Media and PR for ‘Dark Iftar’.

The campaign was also awarded a Bronze Promo & Activation Lion at the 2016 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Terry Savage, chairman of Cannes Lions and Dubai Lynx, said: “As a global brand Coca-Cola are renowned for their innovation and creative communications. Coca-Cola Middle East have embodied this spirit and made it relevant to their local audience with messages that resonate far beyond just the MENA region. We are delighted to present this award to Coca-Cola Middle East and congratulate them all for continuing to push the boundaries and embracing change in such a positive manner.”

Tolga Cebe, marketing director, Coca-Cola Middle East, added: “We are extremely proud to be honoured with this award. At the Coca-Cola Company, we continuously strive to engage with billions of consumers and make everyday moments special. We always challenge ourselves to enhance the way our brands connect with consumers leveraging both global and local insights.

“This award is a wonderful recognition for Coca-Cola and our agencies here in the region.”

For the 2017 festival, Dubai Lynx will run the first Innovation Award to celebrate pioneering technological creativity.

Entries will need to demonstrate the relationship between a big idea and radical tech; that is, bespoke solutions that fulfill an unaddressed consumer need or deliver a product, service or brand message in a newly invented way. The shortlisted entries are decided and announced before the festival begins and the entrants come and present live on-stage to the jury and audience members.

Dubai Lynx takes place across three days from 5-7 March 2017 in the Madinat Jumeirah with the Awards Ceremony on March 8 bringing the festival to a close.