Ogilvy Johannesburg has been awarded one of the highest honours at the 57th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival this past weekend, winning a rare and coveted Cannes Gold Lion award in the Film category for its highly emotive campaign for The Topsy Foundation.

This is the first time in 11 years that a South African agency has won a Gold Cannes Film Lion – the most elite and challenging of all categories at the Festival. The last time gold touched our shores was in 1999. This win marks only the seventh Film Gold for a South African agency since the awards, often referred to as the Oscars of the advertising industry, were launched in 1954.

The winning ad, directed by Kim Geldenhuys and produced by Egg Films, features the true story of Selinah, an Aids sufferer who experiences the ravaging effects of her disease being reversed over a period of 90 days through the administration of anti-retrovirals (ARVs). Each day of her recovery was documented by the team, who witnessed Selinah’s incredible metamorphosis over the three month period first hand. 

The remarkable piece is one of many fundraising initiatives developed by Ogilvy and is testimony to the relationship between the agency and the Topsy Foundation that stretches back 10 years.

Silvia de Jager, Executive Director at the Topsy Foundation, says, “The Topsy Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, and since its inception the organisation has benefitted enormously from support offered by Ogilvy.  This partnership shows the immeasurable benefits that can be achieved when NPOs and corporates form sound partnerships.  We are truly grateful for the continued support given by both Ogilvy and Egg Films throughout the making of this powerful television commercial, and believe it will contribute hugely in the fight against HIV/Aids.”

Donations to the Topsy Foundation can be made via the donate button found at the top right hand corner of this page or SMS "Topsy" to 39810 to donate R15,00.

To view our commercial and to see how Selinah is doing now click here .