JWT India’s ‘Lead India’ campaign for Bennett Coleman has won the Grand Prix in the Direct Awards category at the Cannes Promo and Direct Lions awards 2008 held on Monday night. It was a proud moment for India’s Adland who cut across agency lines to cheer the JWT team, which went up on stage to receive the Grand Prix Lion, holding aloft the Indian tricolor. Among those who went up to the stage included The Times Group's Bhaskar Das, JWT's Colvyn Harris, Agnello Dias and the team at JWT. Truly an inspiring moment for all the Indians assembled there.
Those who came to cheer the JWT team on, included Mudra’s Madhukar Kamath, Contract’s Jagdeep Bakshi, Rediffusion DY&R’s Mahesh Chauhan, Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar and Ramanuj Shastri and O&M’s Rajiv Rao among others.
Speaking to Campaign India, Colvyn Harris, CEO, JWT India was expectedly exultant. He said, “This is the first Grand Prix for India, which makes it truly special, as it evokes a sense of national pride. A historic milestone for the advertising industry. India has come of age on the world advertising stage, so look out world for much much more. For JWT India, an equally glorious milestone. We are very happy today. All the hard work is paying off. For the last couple of years we have focussed on improving our work and this is an endorsement of that intent. For the very talented team at JWT who saw the whole campaign through my special heartfelt thanks, especially to Agnello Dias who has been the architect of the idea.”
He further added, “The Lead India idea is fabulous, and extremely well expressed. The larger goal for India itself is huge, noble. No market share battle being fought here. It is truly inspirational leadership at its best. Hats off to The Times of India for making it happen and for pushing the scale and scope to make it a truly world acclaimed campaign. I'm personally delighted and over the moon. Champagne tonight.”
JWT India was also adjudged the second runner up in the Direct Agency of the Year award. Shackleton Madrid came first, for the second time in a row. The Grand Prix in the Promo Lions category went to BBDO New York and Big Spaceship for the HBO Voyeur campaign.
India’s tally of Lions did not end there. JWT India also won a Bronze Lion in the Promo category for the campaign titled ‘Stretch Festival’ created for the Government of Puducherry. Contract Advertising won a Bronze Lion for their campaign ‘Help me read this’ for Children of the world, a children’s charity.
India’s Adland is keeping their fingers crossed for the days to come.
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