Indian agencies bag 12 shortlists at London International Awards

Three Indian agencies have managed 12 shortlists at this year's edition of London International Awards (LIA). These shortlists are in five categories out of a total of 11. The winners will be announced in November.

Initiated in 1986, LIA recognises and honours exceptional work in advertising, design and digital media.

The agency's three campaigns (Caveman, Diver and Tourist) for Sour Marbels Candies have been shortlisted in the Confections/Snacks sub-category, both in the Poster category and the Print category.

The campaigns have also been selected as a single entry in the Poster Campaign sub-category (Design) and Consumer Campaign sub-category (Print).

Leo Burnett India, which had 11 nominations last year, has managed two in 2009. The agency's campaign for Tide Detergent (Tide Stainbroidery) is one of the two finalists in the Point-of-Sale sub-category of the Design category.

The agency also finds a place in the Editing sub-category of the broader group -- Television/Cinema/Digital/Web/Mobile, among six entrants, for its campaign for Bajaj DTSI Motorcycles (Bots).

DDB Mudra has been nominated in the Public Service/Social Welfare sub-category of the Radio category. Among 19 finalists is its campaign for Islamic Research Foundation (Bush).

Publicis India has one entry shortlisted in the Integrated Campaign category, among 16 finalists, for its campaign, 'Let Gandhi Talk'.

The categories where there are no Indian nominations are Billboard, Digital, Integrated Campaign, Non-Traditional, Package Design and the NEW category.

While 2008 saw some big names from Indian advertising featured in the awards juries, this year, there is only one Indian on the jury. Sonal Dabral, regional executive director, Bates 141, Singapore and chairperson, Bates 141 India will judge entries in two categories -- Integrated Campaign and Television/Cinema/Digital/Web/Mobile.