While it’s more than capable of handling its own publicity, the 10th Moscow Advertising Festival takes place at the International Trade Center (TSMT) from Nov. 22-25.

Organizers bill it as a unique chance for those who want to advertise in Russia to get in touch with the agencies that matter.

The event will include an exhibition of participants’ advertising campaigns at a time when the firms are bidding for contracts from foreign firms operating here.

Sergei Koptev, president of the Russian Association of Advertising Agencies, said the market here is unique, and a successful ad campaign has to respect cultural traditions.

But he added that agencies also have to take into account intense competition for the best staff, after cutbacks in the wake of the 1998 financial crisis forced many specialists to seek work in other fields.

That situation has also affected the way new agencies are set up, he added. "The majority of new agencies are created by people who have significant experience in the industry. If you don’t either have the money or the contacts, you are in trouble."

The highlight of the festival is a competition that offers young, unknown advertising executives the opportunity to win a place in the spotlight.

To compete, applicants must design an ad poster drawing attention to the growing poverty among Russia’s elderly. Forty entries have been received, organizers said. "Most of them will get a much better job after the festival," Koptev said. "But the most important thing is that the winner will have the chance to enter the Cannes Festival."

Organizers said the festival would feature 1,165 projects from Russian and foreign agencies. The event was first held in the spring of 1992, with a video contest at the First Founding Convention for the Support of Ad Makers. The second festival took place that November. Since 1995, Igor Yankovsky has been running the festival’s organizational team .

• Packaging

Upakovka 2000, the 11th exhibition of packaging materials, technology and equipment in Moscow, is slated to take place at the Expocenter from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1.

Organizers say the theme of the fair will be food, drink, confectionery and pharmaceutical products packaging. An industry convention on new technologies in packaging will take place within the framework of the exhibition.

• Plastics, paints

The Expocenter is set to host Interplastica 2000, the sixth exhibition of its kind, organized by Messe Dusseldorf International GmbH under the auspices of the European Committee of Machinery Manufacturers for the Plastics and Rubber Industries.

Taking place from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1, the show will feature raw materials, accessories and processing equipment for the plastics and rubber industry. A varnishes and paints exhibition, Laki i Kraski 2000, will take place alongside Interplastica on the same dates.

• Cosmetics

Intercharm 2000, the eighth cosmetics and perfumery show in the Intercharm series, is slated to take place at Sokolniki Exhibition Center, Nov 23-27. Alongside perfumes and body care products, the fair will feature beauty salon equipment and accessories. Organizers say they will hold professional seminars for beauticians and other industry professionals.

• Green products

An exhibition of Ecologically Safe Products, organized by the International Ecology Fund, will take place at the All-Russia Exhibition Center (VVTs) from Nov. 21-24. The exposition will feature Russian food, construction material, cosmetics and other goods.

• Exhibition delayed

The third Motor Sports exhibition and auction failed to get off the grid at the All-Russia Exhibition Center (VVTs).

Originally slated for Nov. 23-26, lack of foreign participants were one of the reasons for a pit stop that should see the event back on track in the spring.

"We still need to show the whole world that there are auto sports in Russia," said Sergei Ushakov, general secretary of the Russian Automobile Federation.

The fair, organized by the federation, was set to feature Russian engine and accessories producers and auto sport service companies from 50 regions of the country.