TOP.rbc.ru - November 1, 2003

The results of the "BRAND OF THE YEAR / EFFIE - 2003" award have been announced in Moscow. "Brand of the Year" is an annual ceremony of praising the most successful projects in the sphere of creating and promoting brands to the Russian market. Established in 1998, the award is set to increase the role of efficient marketing and marketing communications on the Russian market.

According to the results of the contest, the RosBusinessConsulting company received the award in the category "Services to Businesses" for creating the RBC brand.

The Maggi brand (Nestle), the Rossiya brand (Rossiya confectionery), NEO (milk products by Wimm-Bill-Dann) and Ehrmann became awardees in the category "Foodstuffs." Nescafe (Nestle) and Aqua Minerale (PepsiCo) received the awards for their non-alcoholic beverages.

According to the panel of judges, Tinkoff was declared the number one beer brand, LM - the number one cigarette brand and Detsky Panadol (Children's Panadol) - the best medicine. The awards were given to Ariel (the best household products brand), Gillette Mach 3 (the best hygienic product), Dove (the best perfume and cosmetics product), Electrolux (the number one home appliance), Samsung (the number one high tech product) and IKEA (the best furniture).

Among other awardees were AlfaBankExpress (the best brand in the sphere of finances), Mercedes (automotive business brand) and Ingosstrakh (insurance business). The Idiot soap opera was awarded as the best mass media. McDonald's received the award as the number one fast food restaurant, BeeLine was declared the best high tech services provider, M Video - the number one shopping center and the Amur-Pivo - the number one regional project. The company Wimm-Bill-Dann received a grand award in the category "New Name" for its successful introduction of the NEO brand. Samsung was awarded in the category "Change of Image" for efficient changes in the brand's marketing strategy, the changing and creating of a new image and the reconsideration of brand positioning. Nescafe was given the award for reputation and trust.