DeVito/Verdi Awarded Three Silver and Three Bronze Lions at Cannes International Advertising Festival

In return for its award-winning work on behalf of fish and horses last year, the New York advertising agency DeVito/Verdi took home six “Lions” at this year’s Cannes International Advertising Festival.

The Cannes “Lion” is arguably the highest creative award bestowed to advertising work annually. DeVito/Verdi won three bronze “Lions” for its Legal Sea Foods print ads, and three silver “Lions” for its National Thoroughbred Racing Association radio commercials. The awards were announced this past week by the Festival judges.

In winning bronze for its Legal Sea Foods restaurants newspaper ads, DeVito/Verdi was one of only three U.S. advertising agencies to be honored in the Print category.

The Legal Sea Foods work demonstrated an innovative and creative approach to print ads, as they were made to resemble editorial news photos. The photos were placed in newspapers, with the accompanying caption describing a fisherman’s joy in finally catching a fish that’s fresh enough to pass the scrutiny of the ever-picky restaurant.

The agency’s three silver Lions in the radio category were for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. The long-running campaign, entitled “And They’re Off,” has been one of the most acclaimed radio campaigns in history. Since its debut in 2003, it has won nearly two-dozen industry awards, including gold Lions at Cannes in 2005 and 2006.

The ads provide a humorous take on everyday activities that ultimately fail to live up to expectations, or worse. The spots utilize a racetrack announcer who provides commentary to these mundane events and happenings with the same enthusiasm as he would in calling a competitive thoroughbred race.

“There is no advertising awards competition more competitive than the Cannes Lions, which makes winning there such a thrill,” said Ellis Verdi, president of DeVito/Verdi. “We’re pleased that the judges saw fit to honor these two distinct campaigns; the Legal Sea Foods work is unique in its execution, and the NTRA campaign just continues to amaze. This horse shows no signs of slowing down.”

The International Advertising Festival – Cannes Lions – is the largest gathering of worldwide advertising professionals and advertisers as well as the most prestigious annual advertising awards. This year, more than 25,000 ads from all over the world were showcased and judged at the Festival.

About DeVito/Verdi

DeVito/Verdi, a privately held company, has been recognized as one of the most exceptional creative agencies in the industry. Its lengthy list of industry awards includes the top prizes at the Clios, Radio Mercury, Cannes, Andy, Addy and One Show ceremonies.

DeVito/Verdi, which has been voted “Best Agency” six times over the last 12 years by the AAAA, has created some of the most memorable ad campaigns of the past 15 years. DeVito/Verdi strives for excellence and maintains a unique level of prestige within the advertising industry, as evidenced by its work for such clients as Meijer, Chipotle, The National Association of Broadcasters, Sony, Canon, BMW, Circuit City, Daffy’s, Esquire Magazine, TimeOut Magazine, Grey Goose Vodka, Hotwire.com, Office Depot, Legal Sea Foods, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Pepsi/SOBE, Corazon Tequila, Empire Kosher Chicken, Acura, CarMax, Sports Authority and others.

For more information on DeVito/Verdi, visit www.devitoverdi.com