VW scoops the grand prix in MW Effectiveness Awards

Volkswagen has won the Marketing Week Effectiveness Awards 2003 grand prix for devising and implementing a far-sighted strategy that boosted sales of its diesel models by 40 per cent. VW also collected an award in its brand category – durables and automotive.Among other winners, Martin Glenn, president of PepsiCo UK, received the chief executive award for outstanding services to marketing. And Andy Duncan was voted marketer of the year.

Campaign of the year went to Pot Noodle for “The slag of all snacks”; new product of the year winner was Walkers’ Sensations; and the Phoenix award, for revitalising a brand, was picked up by Ginsters.

Two new categories were introduced this year. The ethical marketing award was won by Tesco Stores for Race for Life, while best use of media went to Mini.

Other winners were: Classic FM, in the media owners category; Virgin Mobile in the technology and telecoms category; Argos for retail. The AA picked up the business, services and utilities category award; the British Red Cross won the charities and not-for-profit category; fmcg food and drink went to Innocent; other fmcg went to Sutton Rapid Green; the leisure and travel winner was British Airways London Eye; and M&G Investments won the financial services award.

BT Retail’s Talent Spotting campaign collected the first Images of Disability award.

“Conditions were even tougher than the year before. Yet marketers, their brands, products and services still managed to rise to the challenge,” says Stuart Smith, editor of Marketing Week and chairman of the judges.The winners in full, page 47