Rewarding creativity in advertising the Epica awards are now in their 18th year.

Picking the best advertising campaigns from across Europe, Epica (Europe's Premier International Creative Awards) received over 4,500 entries from 609 companies in 39 different countries in 2003.

Press ads took 21 of the 31 awards under the 'print' category which also included poster ads.

Here, in volume one of our coverage of the Epica's, the NMA brings you 11 of those category award winners, showing off the excellence and creativity in the medium.  To enlarge any of the ads, simply click the red magnifying glass in the bottom right-hand corner.

Food - Agency: Cayenne (Milan) - Client: Italian Food Collection

The above ads from Italian agency Cayenne combine two Italian passions - food and fashion.  Cheese handbags, pasta belts, wine heels and parma ham rings the fusion of the two makes for quirky, original and memorable ads.

Alcoholic drinks - Agency: Graffiti BBDO (Bucharest) - Client: Guinness

"Postive Thinking" from Graffiti BBDO in Romania played on the world famous saying - "Is the glass half empty or half full" and Guiness's monochrome colours (ideal for the newspaper medium). This clever ad ensures that the Irish stout will 'positively' top of mind for thirsty readers.

Retail services - Agency: .Start (Munich) - Client: Burger King

		This subtle ad from .Start in Munich for food giant Burger King communicates the brand's key selling point "Really big burgers" in a fun, light-hearted way.

Financial Services - Agency: Contrapunto (Madrid) - Client: Sanitas Insurance

		This ingenious twist on famous pictures from Contrapunto in Madrid is advertising Sanitas Insurance's "family" campaign.  Adding in a family to iconic pictures of James Bond, Che Guevara and Vincent van Gogh conjures the messages of the campaign in a witty and memorable way.

Household maintenance - Agency: Lowe (Lisbon) - Client: Skip

		This ad was made for the print medium.  If there's a colour newspapers like, it is black and Lowe in Lisbon have used it to full effect for washing powder brand Skip. A series of black skirts, trousers and shirts that "Stay black" communicate the brand strength instantly.

Toiletries & health care - Agency: Grey (London) - Client: Remington

		This witty little number is from Grey London, for Remington's bikini trim and shape.  There's only a small area of text on this ad... we'll leave you to work out where.

Beauty products - Agency: Magic Hat (London) - Client: E45

Crooke's Healthcare's E45 moisturising brand wanted to tell potential customers that their range was suitable for any different type of skin and this striking campaign from Magic Hat in London does just that.

The seamless blending of body parts from a variety of races makes for an eye-catching and effective campaign.

Automobiles - Agency: TBWA (Paris) - Client: Nissan 4x4's

		Car manufacturer Nissan employed TBWA in Paris to advertise their new 4x4 range with the tag line "explore".  For TBWA, this led to a range of weird and wonderful discoveries!

Automotive accessories - Agency: Leo Burnett (Warsaw) - Client: Fiat Service

		Poor harassed and scared Fiats are the star of these ads from Leo Burnett in Warsaw for Fiat authorised service centres.

Business services - Agency: LG & F (Brussels) - Client: Axa Recruitment

Looking to recruit new staff, fresh to the market Axa comissioned LG & F in Belgium who produced these fun ads.

The overly protective and helpful signs dotted around the office portray Axa as a caring yet fun employer - ideal.

Clothing & fabrics - Agency: Storakers McCann (Stockholm) - Client: Lee jeans

Trendy jeans manufacturer Lee took an interesting angle on the celebrity endorsement idea with Storakers McCann in Stockholm.

Featuring Chad - Kylie Minogue's Pet Care Director, and Sally - Robbie Williams' Fan Mail Coordinator, Lee have added humour and reach to their campaign.