Close to 500 onlookers and Spandex-clad media, ad and marketing moguls from across Sydney rocked up to the AdNews Challenge to battle it out in the annual event yesterday (16 Nov).
Held at the Clifton Gardens Reserve in Mosman, the competitive challenge, which involved a 2km kayak, a 6km run, 600m swim and a new and exhilarating obstacle course, was completed by teams of four - and more than 20 individuals also choose to brave it solo.
Despite the onset of rain at 7am, a range of seasoned pros and new entrants, from the likes of Amobee, Bauer Media, M&C Saatchi, ZenithOptimedia, AdRoll, Rocketfuel, News Corp, Salmat, TMS, Yahoo7 and many more, hit the challenge with a bang.
From dives onto a slippy slide to lugging logs and sandbags, the obstacle course certainly kept competitors on their toes. Some even lost T-shirts and ripped shorts along the route.
Event organiser James Yaffa said: “This year's AdNews Challenge was the biggest and best to date and we want to thank everyone that took part, and all ours sponsors for making it such a success.
“It's great to help support not-for-profit foundation UN LTD, to meet with fellow industry people out of the work environment and to take on a truly unique challenge such as this.”
The event was packed with execs from across the industry, and also featured kids' events, Rocketfuel massage tables, a Bauer Media juice bar, plenty of bacon rolls and Toby's Estate Coffee.
Thankfully the sun (and beers) came out in time for the winner announcements.
The overall award for best time in a group of four went to the Digital Arts Network, which is part of Whybin\TBWA Group Sydney. It's the second time in three years the company has scooped the top trophy. It also won the best mixed team.
CEO of - Whybin \TBWA Group, Paul Bradbury, said: “Participating in the AdNews Challenge over the last three years has been very positive for our agency culture. Lots of legendary stories, and it's always nice to walk away with some silverware.”
Best individual female went to Donna Murchinson from TubeMogul and best individual male was awarded to Nathan Shakespeare from News Corp.
The best female team went to MJW and the best male team was won by Sydney Grammar School. Other winning companies included Yahoo7, Lavender, Starcom and more. See below for the full list of winners.
Money raised from teams goes to UN LTD, a not-for-profit foundation representing the media, marketing and advertising industry.
This year's major sponsor of the Challenge was Bauer Media. Supporting sponsors are Alto LandRover, Adshel, Amobee, APN Outdoor, Fairfax Media, MCN, Nine Entertainment Co., Mindshare, realestate.com.au, Rocketfuel, Salmat, Seven Media Group. Associate sponsors are Adstream, GSP Print, ICUR, Lavender, Maxus, Pandora, Paykel Media, Starcom, ZenithOptimedia.
Keep an eye on AdNews this Wednesday for full timings of all competitors. More photos and a video will also be available soon.
Best creative agency team
Winner: Digital Arts Network (Whybin\TBWA)
Runner up: The Works
Best media buyer team
Winner: Starcom MediaVest
Runner up: Ikon
Best digital agency team
Winner: Lavender
Runner up: BWM
Best media company team
Winner: Yahoo7
Runner up: News Corp Australia
Best industry supplier team
Winner: Sydney Grammar School
Runner up: Sandhill Warrior
Best mixed team
Winner: Digital Arts Network (Whybin\TBWA)
Runner up: Ikon
Best male team
Winner: Sydney Grammar School
Runner up: Sandhill Warrior
Best female team
Winner: MJW
Runner up: Fairfax Media
Best male individual
Winner: Nathan Shakespeare from News Corp Australia
Runner up: Stuart McDonald from ZenithOptimedia
Best female individual
Winner: Donna Murchison from TubeMogul
Runner up: Victoria Cook from AdRoll
Best team overall
Winner: Digital Arts Network (Whybin\TBWA)
Runner up: Sydney Grammar School
For more news:
Bauer breaks down barriers of mag brands with digital network
Foxtel programmatic deal helps boost TubeMogul revenue
News Corp Australian papers show "tangible improvement"
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop me a line at pippachambers@yaffa.com.au
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Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.