Controversy hits Abby 2010 judging; 15 metals to be withdrawn

Around 15 metals from four agencies will be withdrawn, as it is revealed that some of the jury members voted for their own agency's work; officials call the development speculative

Controversy comes knocking at Goafest's doors as yet another blow to the credibility of the 2010 Creative Abbys jury. It is learnt that around 15 metals will be withdrawn from four creative agencies, after a study revealed that some of the jury members voted for work submitted by their own agencies.

For the record, Ogilvy India took home the maximum metals this year. The agency won a total of 43 awards, which included one Grand Prix, three gold, nine silver and 30 bronze trophies. The agency won one of the two Grand Prix that were given away, in the Integrated category. The Mudra Group followed with a total of 26 metals -- four gold, nine silver and 13 bronze trophies.

Understandably, the associated officials are choosing to play their cards close to the chest. As afaqs! tried to get in touch with Colvyn Harris, chief executive officer, JWT India and president, Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and Madhukar Kamath, managing director and CEO, Mudra Group and ex-officio member of the AAAI executive committee; both dismissed the development.

"There is no decision. It has not been debated. The reports are speculative," said Harris, who was also the Goafest chairman.

Ajay Chandwani, director, Percept and chairperson, Creative Abbys, and Bhaskar Das, president, The Advertising Club Bombay could not be reached for their comments.

However, a source close to the development affirms that investigations were made after complaints were received over the judging process. It was thus revealed that some of the jury members may have "intentionally or unintentionally" voted for their own agencies' entries. The names of the agencies in question, however, could not be ascertained.

The source says that the number of metals to be withdrawn is far too small, compared to the total awards, to have an impact on the final standing of the agencies.

No issues have been reported in the Media Abbys though. What needs to be questioned, however, is how the slip-up was allowed and not brought to notice before.