TBWA\CHIAT\DAY DEFENDS TITLE AT THINKLA’S ANNUAL ADJAM EVENT

LOS ANGELES, September 11, 2008: For the second year running, Los Angeles-based TBWA"Chiat"Day’s “Chiat"Riot!” band has conquered the competition at thinkLA’s 8^th annual AdJam - Battle of the Agency Bands, presented by Specific Media. The agency walked away with top honors and the coveted AdJam Axe, a custom electric guitar engraved with each year’s winner. Threshold Interactive’s “THRASHOLD” and The Phelps Group’s “Dephelps Mode” rounded out the top three.

Said James Aardahl, band leader of Chiat"Riot!, “Our band was excited to play against such amazing bands from the industry. Winning two years in a row was unexpected, but truly an honor. We were completely in awe of the judges’ and the crowd’s response, but in the end, we were just happy to play.”

Competition was fierce at the 80’s-themed event and included additional entrants from Deutsch LA, The Gary Group, Ogilvy & Mather and OMD. A panel consisting of three judges selected the top three bands based on, among other things, stage presence, appearance and overall performance. The panel included industry music aficionados, Barry Yudess, VP, West Coast Ad Sales, Spiral Frog; Michael Zapruder, Music Buyer and Curator, Pandora; and Tom Sturges, Executive Vice President, Head of Creative, Universal Music Publishing Group. Audience participation via Specific Media noisemakers and custom-made Pandora “thumbs up/thumbs down” paddles determined the event’s overall winner.

Having a front-row seat at the event put the judges right in the action. “The bands were incredible. Their stage presence, vocals and range of songs was amazing and far exceeded my expectations. Overall the event was perfect. A one of a kind music venue, awesome and engaged crowd and with a music festival look and feel,” exclaimed Barry Yudess of Sprial Frog after the event.

Sponsors for the event included: Specific Media - Presenting Sponsor; Microsoft Advertising - Bar Sponsor; Pandora and Spiral Frog - Judging Sponsors; Myxer - Party Pics Sponsor; SplashCast Media - Backstage Band Sponsor; Travel Ad Network - One Hit Wonder Sponsor.

About thinkLA

Formed in July 2006 by the merger of the Los Angeles Advertising Agencies Association, Los Angeles Ad Club and the Magazine Representatives Association – thinkLA is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Los Angeles as a world center of creative thinking and innovation in marketing and media.

thinkLA’s membership includes professionals and companies in the media arts industry communicating with consumers and motivating them to purchase via creative messages. Members work at diverse companies including advertisers; print, broadcast and online media; entertainment and production companies; advertising and marketing agencies; and the industry suppliers. Through advocacy, education, networking and outreach, thinkLA aims to be a leader in bringing new business to the region and expanding existing businesses.

http://www.thinkla.org