Grey, Chennai, wins Rs 6-crore Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative biz

Following a multi-agency pitch that saw as many as 30 agencies in the fray (not an unusually high number for a government pitch, though), Grey Worldwide, Chennai, has picked up the creative and media duties for the Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative. Managed by the state government, the objective of the Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative is to generate awareness about AIDS. To that end, the task before the newly appointed agency is to develop communication that educates people about AIDS and encourages preventive measures.

According to media reports, the incidence of HIV cases in Tamil Nadu has decreased from 14.7 per cent in 2002 to 9.02 per cent in 2003. The obvious concern for the authorities is to further check the spread of AIDS, which is understandable considering Tamil Nadu is one of the six worst hit states in India (the other five being Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur and Nagaland).

Indeed, Grey is quite excited about winning the account, which is estimated to be worth Rs 6 crore. However, what is not clear at this stage is whether any other agency or agencies have been empanelled along with Grey.

Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative is not the only government-related business that Grey has won. The Delhi office has pocketed a part of the Department of Tourism account. Sources say the business includes Web and interactive-related services, as well as media responsibilities. While the Web and interactive part of the business goes to Grey, the media duties are in the care of Mediacom. Although no official word on the development is forthcoming, sources reveal that the Department of Tourism had come out with several open tenders, and it goes without saying that several agencies had pitched for the business.

Informal discussions with officials connected to the development reveal the total size of the business - including Web and media - is to the tune of Rs 55 crore. For the record, O&M remains on the panel, and continues to compete for others aspects of the Department of Tourism business.

In addition these account wins, Grey has added the Rs 6-7 crore advertising account of India Today. Grey was already servicing Living Media's Business Today account. © 2004 agencyfaqs!