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INMA World Congress in New York
BCCL bags top two INMA Awards

Representing the world’s best newspaper marketing campaigns from the previous year, winners in INMA Awards 2010 competition were recently announced at the eightieth annual INMA World Congress in New York, where India shined again as for the first time, the top two winners in the competition came from the same Indian company: Bennett, Coleman & Company Ltd, including The Economic Times and The Times of India, who were first and second place recipients of the ‘Best of Show’ award respectively. While other winners from India in different categories include: Dainik Bhaskar, Dainik Jagran, Hindustan Times and Mid Day Infomedia Ltd.

Michael Phelps, INMA president. (left) Ravi Dhariwal, CEO/publishing, The Times of India. (right)

nternational Newsmedia Marketing Association (INMA) unveiled 91 first, second and third place recipients of the coveted 75-year-old INMA Awards 2010 which were presented by the association’s president Michael Phelps in the presence of more than 200 media executives from around the world gathered for the INMA conference. Based on concept, creativity, copy/graphic design, production, and overall effectiveness as well as results, judging was conducted via the internet by 23 judges including executives from media companies, product manufacturers, and consulting firms worldwide to select award recipients in ten categories in three circulation groups: under 75,000, 75,000-300,000, and over 300,000. “Impact campaigns, high awareness, and clear return-on-investment were the hallmarks of this year’s award-winners,” said Earl J Wilkinson, executive director and CEO of INMA, adding, “Marketing geared towards growing audience, advertising, and brand across platforms clearly stood out among this year’s award-winning entries.”

The Economic Times of New Delhi won the coveted ‘Best of Show’ award for its marketing campaign titled ‘The Power of Ideas.” The multi-media entry engaged and strengthened relationships with young readers, especially when interest in business newspapers has been declining. ‘The Power of Ideas’ unleashed a mass movement in corporate India, exceeding quantitative targets by a large margin and received an overwhelmingly positive approval from all stakeholders. This was especially true with the much sought-after younger readers. “The Power of ideas graphically illustrated the power of newspapers to engage and, more importantly, to effective change in society,” commented judges. This win puts The Economic Times among elite community of the previous recipients of this honour, including The Gazette in Montreal, The Times of India, Kleine Zeitung in Austria, Het Nieuwsblad in Belgium, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in Germany, The New York Times in the United States, Dagens Nyheter in Sweden, Berliner Zeitung in Germany, Cape Times in South Africa, The Australian in Australia, and The New Zealand Herald.

Ravi Dhariwal, CEO/publishing and Bhaskar Das, executive president, The Times of India with INMA president Michael Phelps (in the middle).

The Times of India, New Delhi got second-place for ‘Best of Show’ for a brand awareness campaign titled ‘Lead India 2009’. The campaign launched a concerted programme aimed at making the best of their general elections, towards the goal of overhauling the quality of their political leadership. The programme was a platform for harnessing the yearning for political reforms that has gripped India.

The third-place for ‘Best of Show’ was presented to Dagens Nyheter for its public relations and community service campaign, namely ‘DN Goes Live’. The marketing campaign created a meeting place between the readers and Dagens Nyheter in real life. The solution: create a fourth channel after print, web, and mobile – DNlive.

Besides, in different categories, Mid Day Infomedia Ltd, Mumbai and The Economic Times, New Delhi received six and three awards respectively. While Dainik Jagran, New Delhi; Dainik Bhaskar, Bhopal; The Times of India, New Delhi; and Hindustan Times, New Delhi won one award each.

INMA is the world’s leading provider of global best practices and marketing ideas for newspaper companies looking to grow amid profound market change. Based in Dallas with offices in New Delhi and Antwerp, the association has more than 2,400 members in 82 countries worldwide.

Rejoicing moments! (left) Tariq Ansari (right) of Mid Day Infomedia Ltd, Mumbai busy in discussion.(right)

Namini and Efchak receive Silver Shovel Awards by INMA

Two volunteer leaders Yasmin Namini, senior vice president of marketing and circulation at The New York Times and Ed Efchak, the immediate past president of INMA worldwide and the association’s North America Division were presented Silver Shovel Awards at the association’s 80th annual conference in New York for their meritorious service. Namini was honoured for her tireless efforts on behalf of INMA as a member of the association’s board of directors, while Efchak received the award for his leadership of the association during challenging times.

The Silver Shovel Award, INMA’s highest individual honour since 1949 honours newsmedia professionals with distinguished records of service to INMA and demonstrated commitments to excellence in the discipline of marketing.