MUMBAI: With recession creating roadblock across every economy and with consumer pockets going hollow, year 2009 was the most unfurnished testing ground for the Indian advertising industry, battling every step to survive just right. And thus, while few have dived into the submarines underwater, few did emerge as winners of their existence.
 
According to the Brand Equity Ad Agency Reckoner (BEAR) review for 2009, Ogilvy has emerged as the leader of the creative agency flock in the top ten survey that the country has best.

Following next is JWT, while Lowe and Mudra occupy the third and fourth spot respectively. Prasoon Joshi’s McCann Ericson stands tall at the fifth spot, while Rediffusion YR ranks sixth.
 
Meanwhile, as far as media agencies go, Mindshare has been crowned as first in the lot.

Lintas Media Group comes second while Sam Balsara’s Madison is ranked third.
 
BEAR claims that a total of 549 interviews were conducted, spread across six centres – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. The maximum numbers were conducted in Mumbai (35 per cent), followed by Delhi (26 per cent) to account for the large population of media professionals in these cities.

Ad agencies:

Ogilvy

JWT
Lowe
Mudra
McCann Erickson
Rediffusion YR
Leo Burnett
Contract
RK Swamy BBDO
DraftFCB

Media agencies:

Mindshare
Lintas Media Group
Madison
Percept Media
Maxus
Mudra Max
Starcom
Lodestar Universal
ZenithOptimedia
Optimum Media Direction