Publicis Groupe APAC shines at AdFest 2025
Publicis Groupe Asia Pacific won a total of 35 trophies at ADFEST 2025, with Leo agencies in Asia Pacific winning the most number of Grande Lotuses and Heineken being recognised with the prestigious Brand of the Year accolade.
Overall, Publicis Groupe was awarded – 3 Grand Lotuses, 3 Golds, 17 Silvers, 11 Bronzes, 1 Innova and 5 Finalists – for a variety of culturally nuanced and progressive tech-driven work created for many of its clients including Lay’s and Gatorade (PepsiCo), McDonald’s, Heineken, Cathay, Toyota, Oreo (Mondelez) and others.
Of the 11 Grande Lotus awards, Leo agencies in Asia Pacific won three for the following campaigns:
• Hidden in Plain Sight, Heineken – Leo Malaysia and Star Reacher Advertising (Design Lotus)
• What the Fast!, Krungsri First Choice Bank – Leo Thailand, which also won 2 Silvers
• Drops of Joy, Lay’s – Leo India (Sustainable Lotus), which also won a prized INNOVA Lotus plus Gold in Creative Strategy.
Leo agencies in Asia Pacific also secured the following wins:
• Drops of Joy, Lay’s – Leo India
• Turf Finder, Gatorade – Leo India: 2 Silvers and 2 Bronzes
• History in the Baking, Oreo – Leo India: 1 Bronze
• Night Classroom, McDonald’s – Leo Philippines: 3 Silvers
• Local-nomy Burger, McDonald’s – Leo Korea: 2 Silvers
• Debutante Ball, Johnnie Walker – Leo Australia: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
• Ads at Record Speeds, Superloop – Leo Australia: 1 Silver.
Meanwhile, Heineken’s Brand of the Year accolade was a recognition of three of its campaigns by Publicis Groupe Asia Pacific. In addition to the Grande Lotus win, Heineken’s ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ campaign also won 1 Gold plus 2 Silvers. Heineken’s ‘Enjoy the Smoothness’ campaign, created by Leo Vietnam and LePub Singapore/Milan, collected 3 Silvers and 3 Bronzes, while ‘Fantenders’, created by BBH China, won 1 Bronze.
Saatchi & Saatchi Australia and Toyota Hilux won Gold in Film for ‘In a Pickle’; while Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand and Pepperstone won Silver in Film Craft for ‘Don’t be fine with it’, directed by FINCH.
Publicis Groupe Hong Kong and Cathay won 1 Bronze for ‘Re-Righting History’, and another for ‘Souvenired Media’.
