Campaign Magazine, the influential marketing trade publication, has named Ogilvy & Mather runner up Network of the Year, in a closely contested competition.

The judges praised O&M’s investment in creative talent, which resulted in a hugely successful year at Cannes Lions 2011, the 100th anniversary of founder David Ogilvy’s birth, winning 12 golds, 17 silvers and 32 bronze lions.

The judges also noted the many pivotal hires the agency has made this year, primarily on the creative front including Gerry Human in Ogilvy & Mather UK, John Jakubowski in the Asia-Pacific region, Ivan Gonzales in Ogilvy Mexico, Alfonso Marian in OgilvyOne New York and Graham Fink in Ogilvy China.

Campaign Magazine also cited the agency’s continued ambition in Asian markets, noting its footprint in emerging markets with 4,000 staff working in China alone, spread across 17 offices, and as a market leader in India. The client list in this region includes Kraft, BP, Motorola and more recently Google.

Other notable new-business wins in 2011 included Grant Thornton (global), Gap (US), Europcar and Diageo (pan-Europe), and Coca- Cola (Latin America).

The agency also picked up two of the biggest global pitches of 2011 winning the SC Johnson mandate and Philips.

All in all, a great end to 2011 and promising start to 2012.