Adrian Robinson (fourth left), managing director, Marketing Counselors Ltd, is surrounded by members of his staff as he holds the trophy for placing the most advertisements in Gleaner publications in 2005. Marketing Counselors was the top winner at the Gleaner Advertising Awards ceremony held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, yesterday. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER.
AT A lavish ceremony, complete with all the trimmings of a regal shindig, Marketing Counselors Limited yesterday walked away with the Gleaner Company's 2005 top billing award for the highest volume of advertise-ments placed in the company's various publications last year.
The award was presented at the Gleaner's Advertisers' Appreciation and Awards Luncheon held at the Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
This is the second consecutive year that Marketing Counselors has copped the top award.
CONTINUED RELEVANCE
Adrian Robinson, managing director of the agency, accepted the award on behalf of his company. He thanked his hard working staff and noted that the awards function showed that advertising and the media in Jamaica continue to be of relevance.
Other awardees at yesterday's function were PRO Communi-cations and Advertising and Marketing, which shared the award for being the most co-operative agencies. Advertising and Marketing agency also walked away with an award for demonstrating the most improved performance.
But it didn't stop there for Advertising and Marketing. The agency, which celebrated 40 years in business last year, also walked away with the award for providing the third largest volume of business. The second place award went to the eight-year-old OGM Integrated Communications.
Garfield Grandison, The Gleaner's Editor-in-Chief, updated the guests on the progress the paper made in 2005 and hinted at plans which will be implemented to ensure that the newspaper retains its market dominance in 2006.
He said several Gleaner-commissioned reader surveys provided a great deal of information on what readers want to see in the papers.
Mr. Grandison said that based on the findings of these surveys, readers should look out for some changes.
"For 2006, we will be designing our various features in ways that will deliver on the needs of our readers and advertisers. Look for a greater level of interaction," he told his audience.
TREMENDOUS FEEDBACK
Mr. Grandison also noted that several features which were started last year have received tremendous feedback from readers.
He vowed to continue to seek to improve the company's various products.
The luncheon was filled with fun, fine food and festivities, as The Gleaner Company rolled out the red carpet to pamper its advertisers. Veteran saxophonist Dean Frazer kept the crowd entertained with some ear pleasing renditions of classic Jamaican music.
Meanwhile, several guests walked away with spot prizes which were hidden in copies of The Star, the company's afternoon newspaper. Prizes ranged anywhere from clock radios to portable DVD players.
MCs for the function were Advertising Manager Yvonne Senior and her deputy, Nordia Craig.
AWARDEES
* Marketing Counselors Limited - top billing
* PRO Communications
* Advertising and Marketing
* OGM Integrated Communications
