McCann-Erickson is ‘Agency of the Year’ again at Mirchi Kaan

Compared to last year, the second edition of the Mirchi Kaan Awards – the radio awards instituted by private FM player Radio Mirchi – was a dignified affair sans elaborate stage performances or appearances by big stars.

The event was held in Mumbai on April 29.

Stand-up comedian Veer Das was the host for the evening, and amidst his wisecracks and general banter, trophies for the ‘Agency of the Year’, ‘Radio Design Sound of the Year’ and ‘Crystal Award of the Year’ were seized by McCann-Erickson.

This is the second time that McCann has more or less dominated proceedings at the Kaan Awards. Last year, it was the recipient of the ‘Agency of the Year’ and ‘Crystal Award of the Year’ trophies, while its creative head Prasoon Joshi was the ‘Radio Writer of the Year’ – a position he occupied this year too.

If Euro RSCG emerged as the challenger to McCann last year, with a tally of one silver and four bronzes to the latter’s one silver and five bronzes, this year, it was the turn of Leo Burnett to give McCann a run for its awards.

On Friday night, McCann won two golds, three silvers and six bronze trophies, while Leo Burnett had a tally of one gold, three silvers and four bronze trophies. Key radio spots that got McCann its haul included brands Hanes, NDTV India and Coca-Cola. Sara Lee Apparels, infact, was adjudged the 'Client of the Year' for Hanes.

Leo Burnett, on the other hand, had Complan, Bajaj Bulbs, Heinz Tomato Ketchup and two public service spots for the ‘Promotion for Self Sufficiency of Deaf & Mute Children’ on its roster.

Lowe India also had a couple of winners, including a silver for its campaign for Pepsodent Flexipick Toothbrush and a bronze for its spot for Indiatimes Chat Announcer.

rmg david and Rediffusion DY&R had a winner each in the single entries section for spots on the Great Singapore Sale and for brand Royal Enfield, respectively.

Lastly, the 'Radio Voice of the Year' went to Salim Ghouse for his spots for NDTV India.

In all, the Kaan Awards 2005 attracted 340 entries to last year’s 245. Jurors included Mohammed Khan of Enterprise Nexus, Prasoon Joshi, Ravi Deshpande of Contract, Rajat Dholakia, Rekha Nigam and Gangadharan Menon of Oxygen.

Menon, who was a juror for the awards last year as well, cited a marked improvement in the quality of entries received this year. “The emphasis has been on scripting, on ideas, which is good. Earlier, creatives would revolve around rip-offs of Bollywood actors/movies etc, which wasn’t quite interesting. Creatives have evolved now.” © 2005 agencyfaqs!