Media Direction shines at first Internationalist Awards for Innovation in Media

The Internationalist, headquartered in New York and which has been connecting with the advertising and marketing community globally through its magazine and website www.internationalistmagazine.com since 2003, recently announced the award winners for their first Innovation in Media – 2008 Awards.

Firmly placed on the list is the only agency from India, Media Direction (RK Swamy Media Group) with three metals. The agency bagged the Gold for their work for client Godfrey Phillips – Bravery; Silver for VISA International; and Bronze for Jindal Hissar.

Commenting on the wins, S Yesudas, CEO, RK Swamy Media Group, said, “I dedicate these metals to each and every member of Team RK Swamy Media Group, and I congratulate them for this achievement. This victory on the global stage speaks volumes about our ability to think beyond the traditional approach. Our focus is tangible RoI solution to clients’ marketing issues. Our awards at the last GoaFest, RECMA’s B+ rating, various new businesses, including many on referrals, proactive remuneration increase by clients, representation of India at Cannes 2008 under Young Media Lions et all, are proof that we have carved out a very interesting niche for ourselves in the map of media specialists within just two years.”

The awards were given out based on the following criteria: • Innovative use of media
• Breakthrough communications thinking
• Tactical elements for solving marketing problems through media strategy
• Demonstrating sustained cross-cultural understanding of marketing issues
• Providing solutions worthy of world class standards
• Results

Under four different categories:

Local: A local brand or service in a local market with innovative media solutions worthy of international adaptation or of world class standards

Local-Multi: A local execution of a multinational campaign

Regional: A multinational campaign in any one region of the world, such as Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Asia, etc.

Global: A global campaign or a multinational campaign running in more than one region

The jury had comprised Andrew McLean, President & Chief Client Officer, GroupM (Jury Chairman); Scott Berg, Global Media Director of HP; Nick Brien, CEO, MediaBrands; Mark Ingalls, Global Media Director, Citibank; Mike Jarvis, International Media Director, Banner; Linda Scott, Oxford University’s SAID School of Business; plus members of the Internationalist editorial team and board. The first ever Awards show saw participation from over 30 countries. Forty-five Awards were given out to various agencies from Canada, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Spain, South Africa, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, the Philippines, Latin America, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, France Hong Kong and India. Winning case studies will also from part of teaching material at Oxford University for their Business School programme.