Back in the top six as a finalist again this year, Ogilvy won the judges over with work for new client Cogeco and perennial favourites Hellmann's, Dove and Shreddies. The latter resonated with Cannes judges this year as well, earning the 142-person-strong agency a Bronze Film Lion.

CASES:

Cisco Systems Canada goes green

While Cisco's "Human Network Effect" umbrella marketing message had reached enterprises, the co still needed to build credibility among small and medium businesses and consumers.

Ogilvy enlisted the target to come together to tackle a common goal - environmental change - using Cisco technology. The goal of "One Million Acts of Green" was to prove that many small acts, done together, could create meaningful change for the planet and humanize the brand along the way.

Canadians registered their acts of green at Onemillionactsofgreen.com/Unmilliondegestesverts.com. Users could measure the impact of changing light bulbs or washing laundry in cold water via an emissions calculator, plus share videos, profiles, photos and blogs.

The CBC jumped on board as a media partner. On The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos George asked his celebrity guests - from Sir Richard Branson to Oscar the Grouch - to share their acts of green. Steve Nash did a promo on the NBA website. Eight non-profits added credibility. With its WebEx online collaboration tool, Cisco launched a series of webinars, while businesses and schools used the "challenge utility" web form to engage friends and families. Home Depot and other businesses enhanced their own green programs through One Million Acts of Green. And Cisco staffers competed for green titles at launch events across North America.

In 15 weeks the campaign logged 1,740,959 acts of green - accounting for over 100 million kgs of greenhouse gases saved - and produced over 6.9 million brand engagements for Cisco. Over 8,500 people joined the Facebook community group, while media generated 161 articles and over 50 TV and radio segments.

Cogeco Data Services gives techies keys to the VIP

When Cogeco acquired Toronto Hydro Telecom, it was a small start-up with limited brand recognition. Business results were poor, as was employee morale. Prospects were unhappy with their current service, but CDS was an invisible alternative.

Ogilvy was tasked with relaunching the brand to generate awareness, convey its USP (100% owned fiber-optic network) and open doors for the sales force in the GTA.

In contrast to the giants with their take-a-number tech support and unreliable services, CDS goes to almost freakish lengths to come through. Ogilvy saw a big opportunity in telling that story to the key influencer, the unsung hero: the IT guy.