The One Club for Creativity has announced the finalists for The One Show 2026, with a total of 1,345 entries selected from 51 countries and regions. Among them, 80 finalists come from the Middle East and Africa (MEA), highlighting the region’s growing creative influence on the global stage.
All shortlisted entries will receive either Gold, Silver, Bronze Pencils, or Merits. The winners will be revealed during Creative Week 2026 on May 14, followed by the official awards ceremony on May 15 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York.
Middle East Agencies Make Strong Showing
Agencies from the Middle East have secured a notable presence among the finalists. IMPACT BBDO leads from the region with six shortlisted entries, spanning campaigns for AnNahar Newspaper, Cheetos, and UN Women.
Memac Ogilvy UAE follows with five entries, all for its “IKEA Affordable Masterpieces” campaign for Al-Futtaim IKEA. LEO UAE and Saatchi & Saatchi UAE have each secured two finalist spots, while VML Riyadh has four entries in contention.
Additional representation comes from Horizon FCB Dubai and Landor Dubai, each with one finalist entry.
Africa Leads with Strong Creative Output
From Africa, South African agencies dominate the finalist list. Ogilvy South Africa Cape Town leads the region with 15 entries, including significant recognition for its work on the “Vaseline Verified” campaign.
Accenture Song Cape Town has secured 13 finalist spots for “The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix,” while Giant Films Cape Town follows with seven entries. Other agencies such as Joe Public Sandton and Promise Johannesburg also feature prominently.
Additional finalists come from agencies across Johannesburg, Istanbul, and other key creative hubs.
Country-Wise Breakdown of MEA Finalists
South Africa leads the MEA region with 48 finalists, followed by the UAE with 18 and Saudi Arabia with seven. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have four finalists each, while Turkey has three entries in the final list.
Global Creative Leaders and Creative Week Highlights
On the global front, Rethink Toronto tops the leaderboard with 47 finalists, followed by Uncommon Creative Studio London and major players such as Apple, FCB, and VML.
Creative Week 2026, now in its 17th edition, will host a series of industry events, including the One Show awards, ADC Annual Awards, and Young Ones Student Awards. The programme will also feature panel discussions, portfolio reviews, and creative challenges, bringing together global talent to celebrate excellence in advertising and design.
The One Show 2026 finalists reflect a diverse and competitive global creative landscape, with the Middle East and Africa continuing to strengthen their presence through impactful and innovative work across categories.
