It was far from ugly for AkzoNobel when the company beat off strong competition to win a trio of top honors at the annual Marketing Society Awards for Excellence held recently in the UK.
As well as winning both the Marketing Communications and Marketing Capability categories, the company also went on to receive the evening's biggest prize - the Grand Prix for Excellence in Marketing. The coveted honor is awarded to the entry which "best demonstrates marketing excellence" and "pushes the boundaries of what marketing can achieve."
The success in the Marketing Communications category was a major achievement for AkzoNobel's Dulux brand and its "We know the colours that go" campaign, which sponsored hit US comedy Ugly Betty on British TV. The Dulux campaign edged out a Cadbury's chocolate advert which featured a drumming gorilla (the primate was seen playing along to Phil Collins' In the Air Tonight).
"We're delighted to have won this prestigious award," said Dulux Marketing Director Matt Day. "The campaign has played a major role in driving strong brand share by positioning Dulux as the colour expert in the minds of consumers."
But it was the Marketing Capability entry which impressed the judges so much that it went on to win the prestigious Grand Prix. The company won the category in recognition of its Advance Marketing Capability program, which had a clear impact on the financial performance of the business.
Added Kerris Bright, Chief Marketing Officer for AkzoNobel Decorative Paints: "Winning both of the categories we entered plus the prize of prizes, the Grand Prix, is a fantastic achievement, especially when you consider how tough the competition was. I feel enormously proud that our business has been recognized in this way."
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AkzoNobel is proud to be one of the world's leading industrial companies. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we make and supply a wide range of paints, coatings and specialty chemicals - pro forma 2007 revenue totaled €14.4 billion. In fact, we are the largest global paints and coatings company. As a major producer of specialty chemicals we supply industries worldwide with quality ingredients for life's essentials. We think about the future, but act in the present. We're passionate about introducing new ideas and developing sustainable answers for our customers. That's why our 60,000 employees - who are based in more than 80 countries - are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today(TM).
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AkzoNobel
Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7833
Contact: Holger Ebbighausen
