It may be recalled that Lowe Lintas had earlier lodged a formal protest with the Advertising Club alleging breach of judging procedures, agreed to by all agencies. In a written statement, the agency had asked for a complete re-evaluation last week. Since the Adclub did not accept Lowe Lintas's request, the agency has decided to stay away from the festival, informed a spokesperson from Lowe Lintas & Partners. Meanwhile, the Advertising Club Bombay, the world's largest club of advertising professionals is all set for the first-ever three day India Advertising Festival from 29-31 March this year at Nehru Centre and NSCI Stadium in Mumbai.

For the first time, professionals from the international advertising industry have been invited as judges, informs Mr Kaushik Roy, president of the Advertising Club. "Putting together the India Advertising Festival has been a very challenging and stimulating experience for all of us at the club. We are confident that this is the first step in making the festival a truly international event and the best way to showcase Indian advertising in the international arena by creating strong advocates for our work," explains Mr Kaushik Roy.