According to Lynn de Souza, “It was truly a Jai Ho moment for India, marred only by the absence of any Indian to pick up the single Gold Media Lion, which also won a Silver.” de Souza was the Indian juror on Media Lions, and writes on her experience on judging this category, where India has so far performed the best at Cannes Lions 2009.
The slow start to India’s metal count at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival 2009 gained pace on Day Three of the event. From one bronze on Day Two to 16 metals on Day three brought India back on track, and the 23-metal benchmark that was set last year, looks possible now.
For long, mystery had enveloped around Britannia's media pitch as many sections of media remained divided on the veracity of the existence of the pitch. All the rumours were put to rest, as Britannia, after 5 years awarded Madison Media Group its duties ahead of the incumbent Maxus India. Sources confirm the size of business to be an upwards of Rs 50 crore. Incidentally, exchange4media had earlier reported that Britannia was closely reviewing its creative duties
Week after week, Radio Mirchi continues to remain the indisputable leader in Kolkata leaving behind its nearest rival a distant far in the race. The ratings inferred from the recent RAM data also reveal a surprise as Aamar FM catapults to the third spot.
As the biggest democracy in the world, grappling with the global meltdown, awaits its budget this summer, news channels across the country are already on their way to bombard viewers with comprehensive packages. exchange4media has some leading business news channels pouring in their views on Union Budget 2009 coverage.
It is no easy feat for any brand to build and maintain a relationship with its consumers. Wunderman’s Chief Creative Officer Nick Moore explained this in a session at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival on ‘Relationship Counselling’. One striking advice that came from his address was ‘Consumers cannot be treated like pets in order to get them to be loyal’.
One of the most interesting seminars of the day saw Herman Vaske, Director – Herman Vaske, speak on the need to be creative in order to be efficient. Vaske observed that innovation and efficiency were the main drivers of this year’s developments.
There are 11 entries from India in the Design shortlist. These included two each from Ogilvy India and JWT India; and one entry each from Red Lion Publicis, Publicis Ambience, Cheil Worldwide India, Bates 141, Karigari Design, Leo Burnett India and Contract Advertising. There is only one India shortlist in Cyber Lions, which is from Bates 141.
On Tuesday morning I saw the most incongruous story plastered on page 1 of the tabloid Mail Today. And what a news call it was. On a day when the entire country and media was seized by the failing monsoon and its import on India's struggling economy, Mail Today went with World Bank says global economy will shrink but not China and India's - India to grow faster than China by 2010.
Mumbai-based agency Live1 has grabbed the creative duties for Triveni Media group that runs an array of regional and national news channels. According to Amit Sinha, Director and CEO, Triveni Media Ltd, the account is worth Rs 25 crore. Some of the channels from Triveni Media include Voice of India, VOI Rajasthan and VOI Bangla.
Of the four Indian entries that were competing in the Radio Lions, only one has managed to win a Lion. Rediffusion Y&R has been awarded a Bronze Lion for the work done for American India Foundation. Indian jury member Ashish Khazanchi, NCD, Publicis Ambience informed that DDB Mudra’s Bush fell marginally short to make it through the winning list.
Outdoor Lions have seen the next best performance from India on Day Three of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. India has won six Outdoor Lions in all. These include one Silver each to Ogilvy India, Publicis Communications and DDB Mudra. Ogilvy and Publicis Communication, along with Leo Burnett, have been awarded a Bronze Lion each too.
As Media Lions’ Indian Juror Lynn de Souza (Chairman & CEO, Lintas Media Group) put it, it was ‘Jai Ho’ for India in the Media Lions’ category. Indian agencies have eight Media Lions, which is the highest ever that India has been awarded in one category. Also, Media Lions has the only Gold awarded to India so far. With media agencies winning, the task to bring media services focus in the Media Lions that was set for the jury this year, was achieved.