Hat-trick of awards for marketing agency

May 16 2008 by Barry Ellams, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER-based marketing communications agency, Oakbase, has received three silver awards at the Roses Advertising Awards 2008.

Picking up three awards for Best Commercial 20 seconds or less, Best Commercial of 21-30 seconds and Best Television Campaign, Oakbase beat off fellow competitors TBWA Manchester and Lyle Bailie International LTD.

The awards related to Oakbase’s recent TV campaign for national retailer TJ Hughes. Entitled Relative Celebrity, the campaign centred on relatives of celebrities rather than celebrities themselves – twisting the concept of celebrity endorsements.

The awards ceremony, which celebrates excellence in advertising demonstrated by non–London agencies, took place at The Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester.

The winners had to impress a top panel of industry judges, led by global advertising agency JWT’s creative director, Mike McKenna.

Oakbase’s art director, Raj Kara, said: “We’re delighted to have come away with not one, but three fantastic awards and it is great that all the team’s hard work and efforts have paid off. There is a real buzz in the agency at the moment about the fact that we’re competing – and beating – the Manchester big boys from our home in Chester.”

Doug Laird, Oakbase’s creative director, added: “By receiving these awards, Oakbase has boosted its strong reputation and highlighted the brilliant capabilities of our creative, media planning and design team. We’re really proud to add more awards to our brace of gold medals secured at the Fresh Creative Awards last year. We’re continuing to expand our role as a major North West player in the marketing and advertising industry and these awards are clearly testament to that.”

Oakbase is one of the largest independent communications organisations within the North West. It is an integrated agency, offering service in advertising, marketing, PR, creative and digital together with full photographic facilities.

The award-winning agency employs more than 30 professionals and boasts a team of senior staff with years of big agency experience.

To discover more about Oakbase, log on to www.oakbase.co.uk.