In its third year, the Festival of Media 2009 has launched a new global awards programme designed to reflect the radical changes taking place in the communications business.

The Festival of Media Awards (FMAs) launched in partnership with Advertising Age magazine recognize the creative use of media and effectiveness as well as media owner innovations and have been designed to provide a showcase for the very best in media thinking from around the world.

The FMAs have rewarded excellence in media thinking wherever it resides be it media agency networks, full service agencies, media owners, digital specialists and out of home experts as well as the content experts and technology companies who are increasingly coming into a converged communications space.

This new initiative has filled the gap between the growing influence of media and the many awards ceremonies that are still traditionally embedded in the research or advertising creation sides of the industry.

With more than 650 awards entries from 52 countries in its first year, the FMA’s have been established as a global benchmark for creativity and innovation in media.