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DDB creative chief Amir Kassaei (left) is not one to pull his punches: he’s already accused other holding companies (for which read WPP, the winner of the most-awarded holding company gong this year and last) of vote rigging and now he says DDB (and presumably owner Omnicon) might pull out of the festival if these nefarious activities continue.
Here he is talking to Australia’s CampaignBrief.
The row blew up when WPP’s Sir Martin Sorrell accused the media jury of funny business in awarding its Grand Prix to Omnicom-owned Manning Gottlieb OMD from the UK for Google, an old campaign (created by BBH) that failed to set the festival alight last year.
Kassaei promptly hit back by saying that others were conspiring against Omnicom, in particular creative networks DDB, BBDO and TBWA. He claims here that good work from the three wasn’t even shortlisted (and the shortlists at Cannes are very long) in some categories.
Over to you organisers Top Right Group (formerly EMAP).
