At the glitzy Abby award function, Contract was adjudged `The Creative Agency of the Year' as it notched up 23 points in the final tally. Close on its heels came O&M, scoring 15 points by bagging five golds and five silvers. With 11 points, Chaitra Leo Burnett got the third position by winning four golds and three silvers at the most prestigious event for the Indian advertising fraternity.

Recognising the important role that clients play in the creation of path-breaking advertising, the Advertising Club has introduced `The creative advertiser of theyear' award this year. Mauritius Tourism has bagged the prestigious award this year by winning three gold Abbies.

Over the last couple of years, the Abby Award show has acquired the status of an event and not just another award show. This year was no exception--from beginning to end it was show time all the way as curtain raisers and entertainment fillers made sure that there was never a dull moment. This year's Award nite was sponsored by two television channels CNN International and TNT Cartoon Network.

In keeping with this year's event theme `Faith', the country's cricket star Kapil Dev was chosen to be the guest of honour at the function. Addressing the informal gathering Kapil Dev said, ``I am very happy to be present here. Fifteen years ago, our advertisements were not so popular. But today, we compete with global players. Now, the nation places total faith in your creativity.''

As for the entertainment fillers, the highlight of the evening was the `Abby Anthem' rendered by a group of creativedirectors on stage. For once there was no cacophony of dissent and everyone sang in harmony.

Among these were Rajiv Raja, creative director, Bates Clarion (on the flute), Ivan Arthur, national creative director, HTA (the mandolin) and Prabhakar Mundkur, Euro RSCG (the guitar). As for vocals, Elsie Nanji of Ambience was ably supported by Clarinda D'Souza of McCann-Erickson and others.

Ramesh Narayan, the president of the Advertisement Club said in his address that the Abby Nite is just not a celebration of creative excellence in advertising. ``It is in a way the public face of the industry. Abby is probably the single largest congregation of professionals from advertising, marketing and media in the world." On an inspirational note, he added, "Let the Abby Awards be a celebration of faith in advertising, our talents and our people.'' And by faith, a celebration it was.