Lowe, Percept/H, Dentsu, Concept, Span and Crayons make it to DAVP A list

29 creative agencies have been empanelled by DAVP to handle government businesses

29 multi media creative agencies have been empanelled by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) this year. DAVP is the nodal ad agency for the Government of India. As per policy, all the ads for the central government ministries and departments have to be routed through DAVP.

Upon empanelment, the agencies start getting default notifications for pitching whenever there is some government business. The total expenditure on print and electronic advertisements by various government departments and PSUs (public sector undertakings) through DAVP for the year 2008-09 stood at Rs 468.12 crore. This year, as per the data provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Rs 60.3 crore has been spent by DAVP till the end of July.

The empanelled agencies have been segregated into three distinct groups depending on their annual turnovers. The scale and type of campaign offered to the agencies will depend on which group they belong to.

The eligibility criterion for Group A is having a turnover of Rs 100 crore. Six agencies have been empanelled in Group A, which include Concept Communications, Span Communication, Percept/H, Dentsu, Crayons and Lowe Lintas.

"We are elated to have our agency in the Group A category. Working with the government sector makes our experience diverse. It also promises good business," says Rajesh Aggarwal, president, Dentsu India.

For Group B, the eligibility criterion is having a turnover in the range of Rs 50-100 crore. Rediffusion DYR is the only agency in this category.

The eligibility criterion for Group C is having a turnover in the range of Rs 25-50 crore. The agencies empanelled in the Group C category include Brand Curry Communications, Pamm Advertising & Marketing, Impact Advertising, Corporate Media Men Advertising, Centum Advertising & Marketing, Goldmine Advertising, Falcon Advertisers, Snappers Advertising & Marketing, Promodome Communications, Interads Advertising, Adknack Advertising, Nirman Advertising, Garuda Advertising, Associated Advertising, Mercantile Advertising, Sharad Advertising, Mode Advertising & Marketing, Prime Time Communications, Akshara Advertising, Indus Adcom Ltd, Moulis Advertising Service and BEI Confluence Communication.