When it comes to TV commercial awards shows, the number of Chicago winners is usually in the low single digits, and those winners tend to be the big, familiar names.
While the big, familiar agencies swept last week’s Chicago-based 2009 Hugo Television competition, this time the number of local winners was huge — an incredible 33 out of 85 awards!
Leo Burnett was Hugo’s mighty top dog. It won the single Gold Hugo award for Best Commercial for McDonald’s “Kung Food” spot, plus seven other prizes, edging out worthy competitor DDB by only one award.
The Silver Hugo Audience Choice Award went to Tom, Dick and Harry Advertising for its Big Ten Network’s “Football Coaches’ Recruiting Spot,” proving that little guys have big creative mojo, too.
Draftfcb also won a Silver Hugo for Best Commercial Campaign, for its Qwest Communications’ “Cure for Cable” campaign. It also won a Gold Plaque for its Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida spot.
Leo Burnett’s work on the McDonald’s “Kung Food” spot also garnered a Silver Plaque. Other prizes were a Silver Hugo for a Samsung spot, a Gold Plaque for Hallmark and Certificates of Merit.
Out of DDB’s seven awards, four were Bud Lite alone: a Silver Hugo and a Gold Plaque for Bud Lite’s “Circus” spot, and two Certificates of Merit.
The agency also chalked up a Silver Hugo for McDonald’s and a Gold Plaque for Cars.com.
