Goafest 2013: BBDO's 3 Abbys withdrawn, DDB Mudra's under scanner!

The controversies surrounding the Goafest Creative Abby’s continues with the latest BBDO’s entry for DHL being withdrawn on charges of plagiarism. The DHL ad created by BBD looked very similar to the Allied Pickfords ad created by Ogilvy & Mather, Singapore. Whether this is deliberate work or plain coincidence one does not know? According to the Goafest's Awards Governing Council (AGC), chairman, Shashi Sinha, the decision was taken subsequent to a large majority of the jury voting against the ad.

The AGC decided to withdraw two golds and one silver won by BBDO – both in print and outdoor. Post the withdrawal, BBDO is now left with nine metals, down from 12 earlier.

In a statement however Josy Paul, Chief Creative Officer and Chairman, BBDO India has defended his agency saying,  “We are an agency of firsts. Look at our track record; the only agency in Asia to win a Black Lion at Cannes for Creative Effectiveness. We introduced ‘acts not ads’ in India and pioneered social movements for brands – All in under four years! So why would we want to play second fiddle to anyone?”

There is more to come as even a DDB Mudra’s campaign for Electrolux that bagged two silvers for print & outdoor has been alleged to have been plagiarized. This time the tagline “Keep them new with Fabiguard drum” is similar to the concept of an LG washing machine campaign whose tagline is “Clothes as clean as new ones.” The LG ad was created by Y & R, Brazil.
Apparently when brought to its notice, the AGC has asked its print and outdoor juries to take a call and vote on the action to be taken. The decision is pending.