 In the summer of 2001, Phoebus' career passed a significant milestone as he gained international recognition.Along with Despina Vandi, he received the award for the best-selling album of the year in Greece for the CD single Ipofero (I'm suffering), awarded to him by the director of the Virgin Megastores in London, Sir Richard Branson.In the period 2001–02, Phoebus collaborated with the famous international producer Desmond Child and other international producers as well for the album of Sakis Rouvas Ola Kala, which was released in the European market by Universal Music France.