Since the inception of the Geckos 10 years ago, the main objective remains to encourage, recognise and reward the advertising industry for "producing highly creative, mould-breaking advertising that sells products effectively".

The competition is open to advertisers, advertising agencies, design studios and production companies.

This year's awards mark the first instalment of the Gecko Awards to be held under the auspices of the advertising industry, after the awards founder and former organisers, Democratic Media Holdings, handed over the custodianship to the advertising industry early last year.

The changeover resulted in a no-show of the Geckos last year.

Democratic Media Holdings will, co-ordinate the judging process to ensure impartiality.

The awards' Grand Prix Winner for 2004 was DV8 Saatchi & Saatchi.

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