Intermarkets Art Director swoops to take New York Award on 'Press Freedom'

Dashrath Gawde, Senior Art Director at Intermarkets and creative brain behind the work, whose Gulf-based career spans 12 years, employs simplicity and subtlety to convey clients' messages. He used them to great effect to help the WGC mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2004 and salute the fearless work of journalists.

"More than 50 journalists were killed around world in 2004—this is not something you expect. Press freedom is a hot topic now, especially in the region. The stories I used appeared over a span of a few months; so much was happening, especially the war in Iraq," said Dashrath.

Featuring in the New York Festivals' "Best Use of Medium" magazine category section, Dashrath's entry, which won the Silver World Medal in the Peace and Human Rights Award, depicted hands clasping the "Prison Bars" of a cell created by columns of press reports in daily newspapers concerning media freedom and the plight of journalists who lost life or limb in conducting their work.

"In the face of stiff international competition, Dashrath and his copywriter, Amit Kapoor, have picked up one of the industry's most prestigious creative awards at the New York Festivals," said Clive Sorrell, Intermarkets' Executive Creative Director.

Intermarkets introduced the concept of advertising to the Middle East in Beirut in 1961, went on to open its Dubai office in 1973, and is now the region's largest independent network.

"This is the biggest recognition I've ever achieved. Any kind of acknowledgment for creative people is a major source of motivation, especially if it comes on an international level. It makes a lot of difference to our work at Intermarkets to know that I and my colleague were selected from among thousands of entries," said Dashrath.