Back in 1993, Taxi made its first showing in our Agency of the Year competition, pulling off a tie for silver. It then took seven years for the agency to rank again in the top three. Boy, that feels so long ago. With this win, Taxi has secured its position as strategy’s most honoured AOY winner. So to the victors go the title – and the very cool cover. But the rest of the story this year is found in our second- and third-place winners. Even the honourable mention. (There’s another no-brainer and a couple of comebacks.)

But overall, it’s the work, according to our 14 judges, that really reigns. ‘I’m inspired by the level of creative presented by all agencies,’ wrote judge Bill Downie, CD at Vancouver’s Saatchi Drum, echoing the sentiments of many. ‘There’s no doubt in my mind that Canadian agencies compete now, more than ever, on an international level.’ So, yes, to Taxi goes the gold, but as terribly sentimental as it sounds, it’s the never-been-better Canadian creative that continues to be the real winner.

(All AOY work is also at strategymag.com/aoy/2005.)