Kingfisher calendar, Kasbekar win FAB Awards again

The Kingfisher Swimsuit Special Calendar 2005 has done an encore by bagging the prestigious FAB Award at the 7th International Food & Beverage Creative Excellence Awards 2005, held in London.

The FAB Awards are the only international creative awards programme in the

world focussed solely on creative work done for food and drink brands.

This year, the event attracted nearly 2,500 pieces of work from over 60 countries,

covering TV, posters, press, radio, below-the-line work, integrated campaigns, packaging and new media.

Apart from Kingfisher, McCann-Erickson India and Chennai-based creative shop 1pointsize had bagged five finalist nominations between themselves at this year’s awards. The work was judged by creative directors from six countries.

With this win, United Breweries was the only Indian company to win at the FAB Awards 2005. UB group chairman Vijay Mallya and photographer Atul Kasbekar received the award at a ceremony held at the Hurlingham Club in London. Even last year, Kasbekar and Kingfisher had won at the awards.

Competing with the Luigi Lavazza Spa Calendar based in Milan, the Kingfisher Premium beer swimsuit special calendar won the award for creative excellence in

the below-the-line promotions category.

Mallya said, "The popularity of the Kingfisher calendar has increased by leaps and bounds since we introduced it. Winning the FAB Awards in London for photography is certainly a great honour, especially because we are the only Indian company to win it. I would like to congratulate my dear friend Atul Kasbekar, one of the most talented photographers of our country, who has done a wonderful job on the Kingfisher Swimsuit Special 2005."

Kasbekar, on his part, said, "Working on the Kingfisher calendar had been an exhilarating and challenging experience and I personally feel it is one of my best works to date. Kingfisher, known as the king of good times, symbolises beaches, fun, life and beauty and this year's calendar captures the essence of these. It would not have been possible to win a prestigious award like the FAB Awards without the

support of Dr. Mallya & the UB Group."

Nominated finalist agencies at the FAB Awards came in from all over Europe

and Scandinavia, the US, and India. Many came accompanied by their clients, including some of the biggest food and drink marketeers in the world: from Britvic, Chivas Regal, Diageo, HJ Heinz, McDonald's, Nestle, UB Group and Unilever to name a few. © 2005 agencyfaqs!