The final Loerie Award winners were announced at the electronic awards ceremony hosted by the SABC

Winning the bid to host the Loeries is another achievement of which Capetonians can be proud. 

Cape Town has hosted major sporting events in 2009 and the city is now home, for another two years, to the most talked-about advertising awards show on the South African creative calendar. 

A great deal of hype was created around the Loerie Awards not only in traditional media but also on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, with creatives “tweeting” live from the awards ceremonies, announcing the winners and uploading images. 

The first Cape Town Loeries is widely believed to have been successful. In a Cape Town Tourism phone poll, it emerged that most businesses in close proximity to the action benefited in their role as the new hosts to the Loeries.

The Grand Daddy Hotel was the official registration centre and also the “Loeries Nest”, where many of the events’ VIEs (Very Important Egos) were accommodated. Group GM Stefan Botha comments: “We were honoured to have played such an integral part in the very successful 31st Loerie Awards on its maiden visit to Cape Town. After months of planning, all the hard worked paid off. Registration, accommodation arrangements and a whole lot of parties at the Grand Daddy all happened without any hitches. It was a pleasure hosting creatives, executives and quite a few die-hard party animals from all over SA!”

Nearby hotels such as the Protea Fire & Ice and the Hippo Hotel also reported Loeries-related bookings.

The Ads24 awards ceremony was held at the Good Hope Centre

Despite the weather, Long Street and the surrounds reported good business. Jay Haupt, owner of Boo Radley’s restaurant in Hout Street, says he “could see that a lot of the people in the restaurant were part of the Loeries and we were grateful to have them as we suspect a lot of Capetonians headed out of town for Earthdance and the Whale Festival. I think the Loeries saved our bacon this weekend!”

A perpetual favourite with the creative crowd, Long Street’s Royale Eatery & Kitchen reported an excellent weekend. “It was even better than we predicted and we sold out every night from Thursday till Saturday,” says owner Sascha Berolsky.

Over in Camps Bay, Caprice GM Mike Mouneimne comments that although they did not see the expected level of VIEs in his venue, there were definitely agency people in Camps Bay on Friday and Saturday. “Despite the weather there was a great vibe.”

Cape Town Tourism’s Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold says the Loeries were another affirmation for Cape Town’s growing reputation as a creative city. “We are very pleased that this important relationship has been established with such a prestigious event and we are looking forward to welcoming the Loeries again in 2010.”

The final Loerie Award winners were announced at the electronic awards ceremony hosted by the SABC at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town last night.

Loeries delegates were treated to performances by Goldfish and Lira, and to the antics of comedian John Vlismas,who hosted the evening. Premier of the Western Cape Helen Zille also made an appearance, telling the audience that once they’ve partied in Long Street, they’ll never want to hold the Loeries anywhere else but in the Mother City.

It wasn’t only the organisers who went all out when it came to honouring the year’s best work in the advertising industry. All Loeries delegates were dressed to the nines, having taken Loerie Awards CEO Andrew Human’s words to heart: “Look in the mirror and ask yourself, ‘Am I jealous of me?’”

Last night, no matter what they looked like after a night of hard partying, all Loeries winners could answer that question in the affirmative. And they should, having secured the highest award in the industry, the greatest acknowledgment possible in South Africa of their creative brilliance.

The awards were judged by panels of local and international experts in their fields. A total of 225 Loeries Awards were handed out over the course of the weekend, including four Grand Prix awards, 19 Gol” Loeries, 50 Silver Loeries, 113 Bronze Loeries, nine Craft Golds and 30 Craft Certificates.

The Grands Prix awards, which reflect the breadth of creativity and opportunities for brand communication in the industry, embracing different kinds of media and ways of communicating, went to:

• TBWAHuntLascaris Johannesburg, for their Advertising Poster Campaign, “Cheaper Than Money”, for The Zimbabwean.
• FOXP2 for their Achitecture and Interior Design entry, “FOXP2 Offices”.
• Ogilvy Johannesburg, for Channel O’s Experiential Mixed-Media Campaign, “Young, Gifted & Black”.
• Net#work BBDO Johannesburg, for Virgin Atlantic’s Radio Commercial Campaign, “Ferret, Dancer, Dog, Child”.

This year, a new award – the SABC New Voice Award for Non-English Radio – was introduced to promote the production of non-English radio advertising. The Gold Award went to TBWAHuntLascaris Johannesburg for “Tatollo, Funeral” for Tiger Brands, the Silver Award went to Draftfcb Johannesburg for “Bua FM – 1, 2, 3” for Vodacom, and the Bronze Award went to Joe Public for “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough, Buffalo Soldier, Beat It” for kalahari.net.

Download a full list in pdf of all 2009 Loerie Award winners here.

No doubt it was some of these winners at least who woke up this morning not knowing exactly where they were or how they got there, or why they were wearing a sequined headdress or were covered in permanent marker scrawl. But, clutching a little gold bird in their hand, they would smile, and this thought would run through their heads: “It just doesn’t get any better than this.”

Goldfish performed at the Loeries Awards Ceremony at the Good Hope Centre last night.

Helen Zille welcomed all Loeries delegates to the Mother City.

Comedian John Vlismas hosted the evening.

Photographs by Ryan Levenson

The 31st Annual Loerie Awards kicked off in Cape Town on Thursday September 24, 2009. Loeries delegates have been feeding their egos and partying as only creatives can in the Mother City. Highlights so far have been…

The mayor’s welcome shindig…

Where everyone was conservatively dressed, no-one drank very much and the décor was quite low-key.

The Battle of the Bands, where young creatives unleashed their inner rock stars – proving once again that everyone in the advertising industry is shy and retiring.

The Ads24 awards ceremony…

Where egos were boosted and creative excellence recognised and applauded. Very quietly and without much pomp and ceremony.

The Loeries Print Awards ceremony, hosted by ads24, lived up to all the considerably high expectations at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town yesterday evening, as the year’s best creative work in South Africa was celebrated in style.

Widely regarded as the Oscars of the advertising industry, a Loerie Award is the biggest pat on the back that an overworked, under-appreciated young creative could dream of. And this year’s winners – whether they admit to it or not – will look at themselves in the mirror tonight and say, “I’ve made it. This is me hitting the big time. Tonight, I am a god.” (All that stuff about the huge creative ego is a myth – obviously)

The ceremony was compèred by Marc Lottering and Natalie Becker. A total of 130 awards were handed out at the Friday night ceremony, two of which were Grands Prix, 11 of which were Gold Awards and four of which were Craft Golds.

The two Grand Prix winners were… (drum roll, please):

TBWAHuntLascaris Johannesburg, for their Advertising Poster Campaign, “Cheaper Than Money”, for The Zimbabwean, and FOXP2, for their Architecture and Interior Design entry, “FOXP2 Offices”.

The hotly contested Young Creatives Award, which recognises exceptional achievement by talented creatives at the start of their careers, went to Sanjiv Mistry, a copywriter at Ogilvy Cape Town, and Joanne van der Linde, an art director at Net#work BBDO. They each received a Gold Loerie and an all-expenses-paid trip to an international award show.

All paper-based entries were considered for the Creative Use of Paper Award, in partnership with Sappi. The Motel for Humanoid’s corporate ID was the winner of this new award.

Two individuals were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the advertising industry. Simon Camerer, executive marketing director of Cell C, received the Marketing Leadership and Innovation Award for his active contribution to building the brand’s market position in South Africa.

Nkwenkwe Nkomo, group chairman of FCB South Africa and chairperson of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and outstanding contribution to the brand communications industry over the course of an impressive 26 years.

All Loeries winners reserved the right to party like rock stars. And, being the generous people they are, all Loeries delegates took it upon themselves to make sure that happened at the after party in Long Street.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners of the electronic Loerie Awards, to be announced this evening.

Cape Town is alive with Loeries delegates who took full advantage of yesterday’s public holiday to get a head start on the weekend’s festivities.

They were spotted most recently at the Battle of the Bands at the Assembly, where advertising peeps took to the stage and allowed their inner rock stars to emerge, battling it out with other agency bands.

While honouring creative excellence, the Loeries are undeniably about stroking the egos of creatives who deserve a bit of TLC after endless all-nighters in a cut-throat industry made all the more cut-throat in a recession. The Loerie Awards provide them with the opportunity to step into the spotlight and bask in the recognition of their own creative brilliance. And what better spotlight could you ask for than an open stage, a mic and a screaming crowd?

It was The Red Huxley who claimed the top spot, winning the Battle of the Bands and securing their rock star status at the 2009 Loeries.

Adam Fraser from Joburg said, “I’ve been to the Loeries for the last five years and this one definitely tops the rest. The Battle of the Bands is an awesome start to the Loeries Festival.” 

As a precursor to the two awards ceremonies to follow in the next couple of days, the Battle of the Bands showcased not only the creative energy of the rising stars in the advertising industry, but their ability to get down and party. Capetonians, be warned – the Loeries have landed!

Live entertainment at the mayor’s bash.

The 2009 Loerie Awards have come to Cape Town! Festivities started with a bang yesterday with the mayor’s welcome bash, the Battle of the Bands and the legendary chairman’s party, kicking the Slaapstad party scene into higher gear.

Follow the Loeries blog for daily updates on all the festivities in the Mother City – not to mention the announcement of the 2009 Loeries winners! Check out our Loeries photo gallery and see if you can spot yourself feeding your ego in the Mother City.

As is only fitting for the Very Important Egos of the advertising industry, they were the first to be welcomed to the Mother City and the Loeries festivities by Alderman Dan Plato, the executive mayor of Cape Town, at a welcome function this evening.

Despite the slightly chilly weather, the Very Important guests (by invitation only, you understand) dressed to impress and mingled with the elite of the creative industry at Charly’s Bakery in the city centre.

“I’d like to welcome everyone to Cape Town,” said Plato. “What a wonderful evening!

“We are very pleased to have you here. Cape Town is pleased to be your host tonight. Cape Town is the place to be – definitely! We have more to offer than any city in South Africa, so make the most of your stay.

“Tonight we will showcase Cape Town to the world, and show them that we are ready to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup – and also, that we can successfully host the Loeries maniacs!” he added.

Loeries CEO Andrew Human added to the mayor’s welcome, saying, “Thank you very much to the mayor and to all our sponsors. We hope you have a great time with us in Cape Town.”

Cape Town Tourism CEO Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold said, “We are very happy to welcome the Loeries to Cape Town. Charly’s Bakery really shows off Cape Town’s pretty side. We are looking forward to a fantastic party and to welcome all egos and creatives to the Mother City.”

The aim of The Loerie Awards is to honour and celebrate the year’s best work in South African advertising in a creative and inspirational environment – and what better place to do so than the ever-colourful, never-dull Mother City?

If the mayor’s welcome shindig is any indication of the festivities to come, Loeries delegates are in for one hell of a party over the next few days!

The 2009 Loeries Awards Festival Weekend in Cape Town promises fun, thrills, excitement, applause, parties, celebration – and hangovers. To make life easier for the advertising Einsteins playing in the Mother City during the festival, we have compiled a list of the best babalas breakfast spots the city has to offer. So open your eyes, pop the painkillers and head over to one of the recommended restaurants for a miracle cure that will have you feeling recharged and ready to do it all over again.

Camps Bay

Sandbar

Café Caprice
37 Victoria Rd
+ 27 21 438 8315

An iconic jewel that is home to many a Cape Town ego, Café Caprice is a place where the rich, the fun and the fabulous get together to toast their beauty and brilliance. It is one of the local jaunts of top SA blogger Seth Rotherham, of http://www.2oceansvibe.com. The breakfasts and burgers will put the high back in your five.

Sandbar
31 Victoria Rd
+ 27 21 438 8336

Sit on the terrace and soak up the fresh sea air at this newly renovated spot. Hearty breakfasts, good coffee and excellent Bloody Marys will get you back to feeling like the rock star you are.

Kauai
55-61 Victoria Rd
+ 27 21 438 4607

Kauai is the trusty friend to many a hangover. You know the drill: order a large smoothie with power booster and the breakfast burrito to go.

Hout Bay

Miss K

La Cuccina
Victoria Mall, Victoria Rd
+ 27 21 790 8008

Choose from La Cuccina’s impressive breakfast buffet or order a tasty treat off the menu. The restaurant is about real food, good portions and happy people – a good place to go if you brought your kids along.

Deli Delish
8 Beach Crescent
+ 27 21 790 5324

Deli Delish is one of the best-kept secrets on the Atlantic Seaboard. The breakfasts are served with freshly baked bread and real coffee, and will nurse anybody to wellness. It’s also close enough to the ocean for you to stretch your legs and clear the cobwebs.

Green Point

Miss K
Shop 1, Winston Place, 65 Main Rd
+ 27 21 439 9559

Miss K knows how to serve a killer breakfast. Choose from the enticing breakfast buffet or order a fry-up from the menu. The Ricotta Hot Cake is one of the most sought-after breakfast treats in Cape Town.

Mouille Point

Café Neo
121 Beach Rd
+ 27 21 439 5260

One of the best Greek restaurants in town, Café Neo might even let you break a plate, if you ask nicely. The restaurant offers excellent food made with a lot of Greek love, and the coffee menu is something to write home about.

Newport Deli
47 Beach Rd
+ 27 21 439 1538

A large selection of hangover-friendly breakfasts, burgers and breads that are freshly prepared await you at Newport Deli. Eat your meal looking out over the sea and then give your legs a stretch on the famous promenade. You’ll be feeling like royalty in no time.

Tamboerskloof

Beleza
Kloof Nek Rd
+ 27 426 0795

For the budget babalas breakfast, Beleza is the one. Breakfasts are cheap, greasy and good.

Caveau Wine Bar & Deli

Arnold’s
60 Kloof St
+ 27 424 4344

Perched on Kloof Street since 1999, Arnold’s is an institution in Cape Town. Its fry ups are famous and will leave you feeling like a rock star.

Buzz Café
96 Kloof St
+ 27 21 426 2797

Buzz Café is a health alternative, but just as good. Booster smoothies, flipping ridiculous flapjacks, breakfast wraps or gourmet omelettes will leave you feeling bombastic and fantastic.

Greens
5-9 Park Rd
+ 27 21 422 4415

A trusty favourite, with one of the best Bloody Marys in town. Greens’ Eggs Benedict is a winning choice and its burger will stare any hangover down.

Café Gainsbourg
64 Kloof St
+ 27 21 422 1780

For a civilised breakfast, crawl on over to Café Gainsbourg. These people know how to serve up a hangover meal and you’ll walk out of there with the pep back in your step.

Central business district

Caveau Wine Bar & Deli
Heritage Square, 92 Bree St
+ 27 21 422 1367

Have breakfast at the place where it all comes together. Caveau serves perfect Eggs Benedict, accompanied with a glass of bubbly from one of the many selections waiting for you in the wine cellar. The restaurant takes food and wine seriously, so it won’t disappoint.

&Union

&Union
110 Bree St
+ 27 21 422 2770

The server of the best 100% organic cup coffee by far… and so it should be – the owners are the lads who brought Vida E to our sunny shores. &Union will serve you grilled artisan sausages or the tastiest prego you have ever eaten. If sweet is your thing, try the honey and cinnamon tostada. And if hair-of-the-dog is your game, then you have the best selection of naturally brewed artisan beer to choose from.

Bird Boutique Café
127 Bree St
+ 27 21 426 2534

Organic, homemade meals of awesomeness. Try the chicken pie – it will blow your mind.

Jardine Bakery
Cnr Bree and Bloem St
+ 27 21 424 5644

Jardine Barkery is one of the best little bakeries in town. Pop over for fresh pastries or a gourmet sandwich. The coffee will ease you back into your happy place too.

Lola’s
259 Long St
+ 27 21 423 085

Vegetarian, wholesome, delicious and quintessentially Cape Town, Lola’s is iconic, quirky and its food is some of the tastiest in the city.

The Showroom Café at The Grand Daddy
38 Long St
+ 27 21 424 7247

A scrumptious range of breakfasts with interesting South African twists, like boerewors and beer.

Boo Radley’s

Boo Radley’s
62 Hout St
+ 27 21 424 3040

Opening up especially for you, serving bubbly and great Bloody Marys, Boo’s is known for excellent, hearty meals made with mischief and a lot of love.

Gardens/Vredehoek

Knead
Wembley Square, Solan St, Gardens
+ 27 462 4183

Tuck into a hearty Knead breakfast, take your pick of freshly baked bread from the on-site bakery and enjoy the great coffee. Sit back, relax and laugh at all the fools walking into the nearby gym!

Lazari
221 Upper Buitenkant St, Vredehoek
+ 27 21 461 9865

Lazari serves one of the best fry-ups in town and is famous for its scrumptious pink cupcakes. The service is friendly, fast and has been very sympathetic to many a hangover.

Yum
2 Deer Park Drive, Vredehoek
+ 27 21 461 7607

The name says it all.

Deer Park Café
2 Deer Park Ave, Vredehoek
+ 27 21 462 6311

If you happen to have your family along, Deer Park Café is the perfect place for you to nurse your hangover while the kids go wild in the park.

There are nine days remaining until Cape Town is rocked by the 31st annual Loerie Awards and the weekend after-parties from September 24-27.

With only a few tickets left for Friday, it is best you get a move on and book because Saturday tickets are sold out and this is an event you don’t want to miss.

Artists and DJs performing include Ready D, Bruno Morphet, Goldfish and Kurt. The official after-party venues are Julep, Mojito, Long Street Cafe and Vredenburg Lane. Long Street will be transformed into the Loeries Village and reserved for pedestrians from Bloem to Buitensingel.

To book a private table for you and your close friends and ensure that the Very Important Ego (VIE) lounge is ready and waiting for you, visit the Loerie Awards website.

Photo courtesy Joshua aka gravitywave

The Labia Theatre in Cape Town city centre is giving anyone in Cape Town the opportunity to see the best that South African advertising has to offer. Running from September 18 to October 1, the theatre will be screening adverts that won at the Loeries – for free.

The Loeries Awards, which recognise creative excellence in advertising, are being hosted in Cape Town for the first time next week, between September 24 to September 27. More than 400 industry professionals are expected to hit the Mother City to celebrate the best work in the industry.

The Labia Theatre will screen last year’s Loeries winners from September 18 to September 26. The winning adverts from 2009 will be screened the day after the awards, on Sunday, September 27 to October 1.

“The public are the ultimate consumers of advertising and we would like to expose them to the best of what the industry has to offer and the fresh and innovative ideas that brands are communicating,” said Andrew Human, CEO The Loerie Awards.

The Loeries showreel screeing schedule:

2008 Loeries Winners
Friday September 18 to Saturday September 26
13h30 – 14h00 at Labia Theatre on Orange (68 Orange Street, Gardens)
17h00 – 18h00 at Labia Theatre on Kloof (Floor Lifestyle Centre, 50 Kloof Street, Gardens)

2009 Loeries Winners
Sunday September 27 to Thursday October 1
13h30 – 14h00 at Labia Theatre on Orange
17h00 – 18h00 at Labia Theatre on Kloof

For more information, please contact +21 424 5927, or go to www.labia.co.za.