Newspaper & Mailroom
JWT Congratulates Times of India for INMA Newspaper Marketing Honors
Tuesday 20. May 2008 - Publication's Inspiring Campaign Bestowed Newspaper Marketer of the Year Award
On May 7, the International Newsmedia Marketing Association (INMA) World Congress hosted the 73rd Annual INMA competition in Beverly Hills, representing the world’s best newspaper marketing campaigns from the past year. JWT would like to congratulate the Times of India on its award-winning “Lead India” initiative, which has received four out of 10 INMA awards in the newspaper marketing category, including the grand prize Newspaper Marketer of the Year award — in recognition of a campaign that started with a front-page newspaper ad and went on to inspire a nationwide movement and the emergence of a new era of leadership in India.
“We are honored to have contributed to the Times of India’s award-winning effort to promote cultural progress in India, the world’s largest democracy,” said Craig Davis, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, JWT. “This campaign is a testament to the ongoing power of print media, as both a branding medium and a catalyst for social change. ‘Lead India’ serves as a true inspiration for our global agency, on both professional and personal levels.”
The Times of India is the first Indian and Asian newspaper to ever win the INMA Awards competition’s “Best of Show” recognition. The win reinforces the Grand Prix Award the Times of India received at Goa Fest 2008, a national competition held in April.
“The ongoing success of this campaign comes at a critical time for the print media category, as many are predicting the decline of traditional newspapers’ power and influence,” said Davis. “This campaign is the perfect example of how print media remains an influential tool for cultural engagement and democracy.”
JWT Mumbai partnered with the Times of India for the campaign, which serves as a clarion call to be the change that we expect in Indian society. The “Lead India” initiative included eight full front pages entirely dedicated to the cause. Further support was provided by over 100 additional print ads and more than 18 hours of reality TV programming, as well as multiple Web sites. Ultimately, the initiative attracted over 34,000 candidates and three million SMS votes, and generated numerous rallies and street marches further demonstrating the initiative’s enormous impact.
The Times of India was selected from among 755 entries submitted from nearly 200 newspapers representing 34 different countries. For the first time, judging was conducted via the Internet by 21 judges worldwide, including executives in the media, advertising, marketing and research industries. Judging was based on concept, creativity, copy/graphic design, production and overall effectiveness, as well as results.