Financial Times

Sri Lanka’s advertising fraternity is harnessing all its resources to ensure that its very own advertising awards - the Chillies 2006 – on May 20 at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) will be a culmination of a series of exciting events.

Laila Gunesekera, Chief Operations Officer and Executive Director, Grant McCann Erickson, along with a team of volunteers has conceptualised the scintillating entertainment for the upcoming awards nite. “The Chillies 2006 will be the biggest event ever in the history of Sri Lanka. There will be a veritable ‘chilli’ explosion of sights and sounds. Every single happening that evening will be truly out of the ordinary and the atmosphere will be just like that of a carnival,” she said.

The awards nite is being mounted on a gigantic scale with a 70-foot long opulent stage, 45 dancers and 35 singers adding glitz and glamour to the evening.

Never ending excitement in the form of a tattoo counter offering free chillie tattoos by expert tattoo artists; a ‘Make-up touch up’ counter; and a ‘Freshen your fragrance’ counter are the novel highlights of the evening. A competition to judge the hottest chillie outfit will also be conducted.

The event is being executed by Imran Pakir Saibo of Funtime Entertainment - Sri Lanka’s only event company to produce its very own shows in Asia, Europe and the Far East.

A statement from the organisers said that before the awards nite rolls around, the week leading up to May 20 will also witness a climactic build-up of interesting Chillies related activity.

The three vibrant seminars that have been planned in the days preceding the awards nite are already creating a buzz in the city, since they are being conducted by leading foreign advertising professionals who are also the designated judges for the Chillies 2006. Entitled ‘Spice Sessions’, these seminars will offer local creatives a keen insight into what makes for great - and not just good - advertising.

Jureepron Thaidumrong, Founder/Executive Creative Director, JEH United Limited – Bangkok, Thailand, considered one of Thailand’s and Asia’s leading creative talents, will conduct ‘Big Ideas’ on May 16 followed by Birger Linke, Integrated Art Director, Saatchi & Saatchi Singapore, one of the most awarded art directors in the world, who will handle ‘Winning People’s Hearts’ on May 17.

Tony Hertz, Creative Director & Proprietor, Hertz Radio, and considered one of the key world experts in radio advertising, will conduct ‘Radio for Art Directors’ on May 19.

In addition, he will also conduct a workshop on the morning of the same day so that attendees have a more intensive and hands-on experience. All the seminars will be held at the Trans Asia Hotel and tickets are currently on sale.
Jimmy Lam of Adfest fame will conduct ‘Judges in the Hot Seat’, a forum where he will grill the judges over why they liked or disliked a particular entry. A similar event like this at the regional Adfest draws record crowds and lends transparency to the judging process.

An exhibition featuring short-listed ads in each of the categories from May 18 and end on May 21 showcasing the winners post-awards.

Keith Martenstyn, Managing Director of Lowe LDB, who is organising the exhibition, said: “One of the major highlights of this exhibition will be the display of Adfest winning entries. Entrance to the event will be on submission of a Chillie tattoo [available free at the entrance] and the atmosphere will be conducive for browsing.”