Double distinction for Citibank in the Ermis Advertising Awards.

Athens, July 21st, 2005.

Citibank prevailed in the International Concept category of Ermis Awards, winning Ermis Gold Award for the credit cards’ TV commercial “Disco” and Ermis Silver Award for the outdoor campaign entitled «There is more to life than money», communicating the new unbanklike, customer-centric philosophy adopted by the bank. The awards, which beat competition from many other strong and well-recognised brands, were received by Ms Gabriella Csanak, Marketing Director and Ms Christianna Haritou, Cards Marketing Manager.

The advertising movie “Disco”, which features an elderly couple that sit in an old-fashioned living room listening to loud music among smoke and disco lights, was picked out for its humor and for the originality of the idea to communicate Citibank Cards Fraud Early Warning System. Moreover, the bank’s outdoor campaign stood out for its clever messages, such as “Happiness (in Greek “Eftichia”) is spelled with an E not with an €”, which reminds us creatively that what we live does not fit in a wallet, but only in our mind and soul.

Both award winning advertisements are part of Citibank’s innovative campaign for the Greek market “There is more to life than money”, which expresses the value of a balanced approach towards money. The new Citibank advertising campaign ran from the 23rd January onwards in all media. The production was made by Fallon London and Wunderman, whilst the media buying is handled by The Media Edge.

Mr. Chris Vassiliades, Business Manager of Citibank Consumer Group Greece, stated: «We are very happy that the warm welcome by the public was followed by the recognition of the advertising specialists. In Citibank, we want to provide products and services that will offer our customers greater security for the present and the future and that will give away smiles. Thus we will continue to communicate this philosophy of ours in the most innovative and creative way».

Ermis Awards are organized every year by the Greek Association of Advertising and Communication Companies and constitutes the highest award festival for creativity in communication, in Greece.