Gunn Report, the global index of creative, effective and media excellence in advertising, and a sub-brand of WARC, is being re-branded and major changes are being introduced to ensure the continued independent status of its creative, effectiveness and media rankings, following WARC's acquisition by global information company, Ascential.
The Gunn Report rankings will be known as the WARC Rankings, consisting of the WARC Creative 100, WARC Effectiveness 100 and the WARC Media 100.
The three WARC Rankings will continue to showcase the 100 best creative, effective and innovative media ideas in the world, as well as the top-performing agencies, networks, holding companies, brands, advertisers and countries.
However, further to feedback from the industry, the listings will be compiled by analysing the results of the most important global and regional awards shows in the world as determined by the industry and will be made known to provide transparency and proof of impartiality.
Five global and eight regional awards shows have been selected by the industry for the WARC Creative 100 rankings following a recent survey carried out by WARC alongside consultation with the industry. They are:
- Global: Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Clio Awards, D&AD, London International Awards (LIA), The One Show.
- Regional: Adfest, Dubai Lynx, El Ojo de Ibeoamérica, El Sol, Eurobest, Golden Drum, Loeries, Spikes Asia.
The awards shows designated by the industry for the WARC Effectiveness 100 and WARC Media 100 will be revealed shortly once the respective surveys and consultations are completed.
Regular reviews of the awards shows included in the rankings will be held to ensure that future rankings reflect the opinion of the industry.
Commenting on these changes, David Tiltman, Head of Content, WARC, said: "The industry has told us that there is demand in the market for an independent ranking to showcase the best of the best for creativity, media and effectiveness, but transparency of the shows included is fundamental.
"With this in mind, we've revised the methodology to ensure that these listings remain truly independent and transparent, providing the industry with a definitive benchmark for creativity, effectiveness and media."
The WARC Rankings will be released from late February 2019 with the full listings available to view free of charge this year. The campaigns, their case studies, and the subsequent analysis reports, will be available by subscription.
Following these changes, Emma Wilkie, Managing Director of Gunn Report, will be leaving WARC at the end of the month.
David Tiltman, commented: "Emma has been the face of Gunn Report for many years and a valued member of the WARC team since the acquisition of the business. Her guidance and support of the changes has been instrumental to the WARC Rankings being the successor of Gunn Report."
Also launching in February will be the Gunn Report's databank from 1999 to 2016 available as an online historical and educational archive accessible to all at no cost.
"As the rankings continue to evolve to reflect the changes of the awards shows and needs of the industry, they will remain the one-stop place for agencies, brands and media owners to find impartial and trustworthy information on the best creative, effectiveness and media ideas from around the world," says Emma Wilkie. "The new WARC Rankings are a great legacy for Gunn Report, which I fully support and champion."
WARC Rankings is an additional product available either stand-alone or as an add-on to WARC.com subscribers. Existing Gunn Report subscribers will have access to the WARC Rankings and the historic Gunn Report case studies as part of their current subscription.
About WARC – advertising evidence, insights and best practice
WARC provides the latest evidence, expertise and guidance to make marketers more effective. WARC's mission is to save the world from ineffective marketing.
WARC's clients include the world's largest brands, advertising and media agencies, media owners, research companies and universities. They rely on WARC for rigorous, unbiased information and advice on almost any advertising and marketing issue, which WARC delivers via best practice guides, case studies, research papers, special reports and advertising trend data, as well as via webinars, awards, events and advisory services.
WARC collaborates with more than 50 respected industry organisations globally including: The Advertising Research Foundation, Cannes Lions, Effie Worldwide, Association of National Advertisers, ESOMAR, 4A's, IPA and DMA.
WARC was founded in 1985, and has offices in the UK, US and Singapore. In July 2018, WARC became part of Ascential plc, the global specialist information company.
About Ascential
Ascential is a specialist, global information company that helps the world's most ambitious businesses win in the digital economy. Our information, insights, connections, data and digital tools solve customer problems in three disciplines:
- Product Design via global trend forecasting service WGSN;
- Marketing via global benchmark for creative excellence and effectiveness Cannes Lions and WARC, and strategic advisory firm MediaLink; and
- Sales via ecommerce-driven data, insights and advisory service Edge by Ascential, leading managed services provider for Amazon Flywheel Digital, the world's premier payments and Fin Tech congress Money20/20, global retail industry summit World Retail Congress and retail news outlet Retail Week.
Ascential also powers political, construction and environmental intelligence brands DeHavilland, Glenigan and Groundsure.
