Marketing Counselors is The Gleaner's top advertiser once again

The Marketing Counselors has once more taken the top honour at The Gleaner Company's annual Advertisers and Agencies Awards as the agency doing the highest volume of business with the region's longest-surviving newspaper.

The win marks the seventh time in 10 years that Marketing Counselors has held the coveted cup.

A beaming Adrian Robinson, chairman and managing director of Marketing Counselors, said his agency was pleased to once again take home the award.

Robinson said he was equally happy his agency was the first to win the trophy at the start of a new era in The Gleaner's history under the leadership of Christopher Barnes as the newspaper's new managing director.

He acknowledged former Managing Director Oliver Clarke for his outstanding job and wished Barnes a world of success. Clarke remains as chairman.

"We were more than a little surprised in getting this award because 2010 was a challenging year," Robinson said during the ceremony held yesterday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. "The recession affected our clients. Some more severely than others, and the resulting contraction prompted the agencies, in cooperation with The Gleaner, to place advertisements reminding companies and businesses of the value of advertising. To some people, those messages may have appeared to be self-serving, but I want you to know that there are recent empirical data to support the notion that advertising has real value in stimulating the sales of products and services."

He was making reference to a 12-month study among diverse organisations conducted in the United Kingdom by the Neilsen Company, which tested the relationship between share of market and share of voice.

"In Jamaica, The Gleaner group of newspapers plays a significant role in delivering that share of voice, which can improve a brand's share of market," said Robinson.

Runners-up

Placing second was Advertising & Marketing and third place went to OGM Communications.

For The Gleaner's online products, OGM Integrated Communications took the prize for the agency that did the highest volume of business in 2010, while Victoria Mutual Building Society took home the trophy as the direct client that placed the highest volume of business.

In thanking the agencies and advertisers for their continued support, Barnes said the company was committed to providing the best, most innovative means for its clients' advertising and promotions campaigns.

"The agencies play a major part in our success, not just in bringing in the dough, but in working closely with us to influence positive change in our offerings," he noted.

In fulfilling its objective at this year's luncheon to "honour all our advertising partners, to recognise those who have excelled in their performance and provide a comfortable and entertaining interlude", clients were treated to sumptuous fare, classic musical selections from internationally renowned pianist Dennis Rushton and spot prizes courtesy of Courts, Claro, Palace Amusement, Jambiz and DMH.

The Gleaner's Advertisers & Agencies Awards winners

The Marketing Counselors - Highest volume of business

Advertising & Marketing - Second-highest volume of business

OGM Communications Ltd - Third-highest volume of business

OGM Integrated Communications - Agency with highest volume of business, The Gleaner's online products

Victoria Mutual Building Society - Direct client with highest volume of business, The Gleaner's online products