Independent Media's Superbrand Status

In July 2005, Independent Media was named the Superbrand of the Russian Incorporate Relations (B2B). The honorary Superbrand title is a testament to the brand's exceptional status for existing and potential clients, partners, investors, and mass media representatives.

The SUPERBRANDS international program is presented by Superbrands Ltd, founded in Great Britain in 1994. The program is currently being held in more than 40 countries on four continents.

In March 2005, the first SUPERBRANDS presentation was held in Russia, as well as the first award ceremony for the Superbrands of the Russian Consumer Market (B2C), including The Moscow Times newspaper, the first Independent Media publication launched in 1994.

In 2005, the short list consisted of 797 brands holding leading positions on the Russian Market of Intercorporate Relations, according to the data of COMCON and ACNielsen, the largest Market Reseach Agencies. The Independent Expert Council chose 173 leaders, which will be presented in the first edition of the Russian Market of Intercorporate Relations, currently being prepared by the Russian Department of Superbrands.

The Expert Council was headed by Alexander Shokhin, President of the State University – High School of Economics.

The Council members were:

Nina Alexeeva, President of the Russian Department of Superbrands International;

Alexander Alexeev, Director General of McCann-Erickson Advertising Agency, President of Art Directors' Club of Russia;

Dmitri Alexeev, Art Director of Domion Design Company;

Irina Gorbulina, President of the Russian Academy of Business and Entrepreneur;

Vladimir Evstafiev, Vice President of the Russian Communication Agencies' Association;

Alexey Kovylov, Grey Global Group Regional Managing Director in Moscow and CIS;

Elena Koneva, Director General of COMCON Group of Companies;

Sergey Litovchenko, Managing Director of the Managers' Association;

Igor Luts, President, Creative Director of BBDO Russia;

Andrey Nechaev, President of the Russian Financial Corporation;

Natalia Siomina, Editor-in-chief of "Industria Reklamy";

David Yakobashvili, Chairman of the Board of Directors of RusBrand;

Dmitri Yakushkin, Managing Director of the Russian-American Business Council.

For futher information please visit www.superbrands.org