PUBLICIS DIGITAL LEADS INAUGURAL INTERACTIVE AD AWARDS SHORTLIST

The field is wide open for IAB Australia’s first ever Interactive Advertising Awards with 19 different agencies announced today as finalists. Mainstream and boutique agencies are both well represented in the finalists list, with Publicis Digital snaring five nominations, Zenith Optimedia three and Publicis Media and Mindshare Interaction two each. The two most hotly contested categories were Consumer Goods and Travel, Leisure and Entertainment.
IAB Australia General Manager Patty Keegan says the awards, a first time initiative by IAB Australia, have been very well supported by the industry and have clearly shown the depth of talent in Australia: “These awards have been totally reshaped in collaboration with the MFA, AFA and agencies. We are very pleased with the new format and the response from agencies shows that they are eagerly looking forward to the Awards evening on the 28th March. Already two thirds of the tickets to the Gala Dinner have been sold and we expect to sell out well in advance,” said Ms Keegan.
The finalists represent the most innovative and effective online advertising and marketing campaigns run in Australia over the last twelve months. Finalists were chosen from entries across key vertical industry categories in two streams- media and creative. Silver Stars will be awarded in each category, with Gold Stars being awarded to exceptional campaigns. The entry judged as Best of Show Award will gain automatic entry into the IAB’s U.S. MIXX Awards in 2007.
The winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney at Star City on 28 March 2007. Tickets are now on sale and can be bought from the Awards website – www.iabawards.com.au

FINALIST LIST - CREATIVE

Category: Automotive

Clemenger Proximity, Sydney
Mitsubishi Revolution Facility
Mitsubishi Motors

Hothouse Interactive, Sydney
Aurion Priming and Pre-Launch
Toyota Motor Corporation

eServices
HERguide
CARSguide.com.au

Category: Consumer Goods

George Patterson Y&R, Sydney
Street Idol
Telstra

Publicis Digital
Nikeplus
Nike

Publicis Digital
Nike Stuff History
Nike

Category: Financial Services

NetX, Sydney
Debit Mastercard
Westpac

M&C Saatchi, Sydney
Help
IAG Insurance

Market United
Have A Super Christmas
Virgin Money

Category: Travel, Entertainment and Leisure

Soap Creative
XMEN The Last Stand
20th Century Fox

Publicis Digital
Lose Yourself in Melbourne
Tourism Victoria

cummins&partners
Virgin Blue Online Retail
Virgin Blue

Category: Fusion

Leo Burnett
Fairfax Digital Tech re-launch campaign
Fairfax Digital

RAZOR
Truelocal.com.au
Truelocal.com.au

Base Creative
Patio Website
Patio

MEDIA ENTRIES

Category: Automotive

Mindshare Interaction
Falcon Webchats
Ford Australia

Mindshare Interaction
Range Rover Jet Fighter Promotion
Land Rover

Zenith Optimedia
Legend
Honda

Category: Consumer Goods

Zenith Optimedia
Fuel Efficiency
HP

Publicis Digital
Nike Stuff History
Nike

Publicis Digital
Nikeplus
Nike

Category: Travel, Entertainment and Leisure

emitch
Retail
Virgin Blue

Publicis Media
XMEN The Last Stand
20th Century Fox

Zenith Optimedia
Lose Yourself in Melbourne
Tourism Victoria

Category: Fusion

Media Contacts
The Facts
GSK Valtrex

Publicis Media
True Local
News Digital Media

Starcom
7-Eleven Slurp Off
Starcom Digital