The One Club for Creativity has appointed Michael O’Rourke as executive director in charge of the ADC Awards and programming. He will oversee all ADC Awards programming and growth on a global level, helping the organisation to expand during its first year under the recently formed The One Club for Creativity (TOCC) umbrella organisation.

O’Rourke joins TOCC from the International Awards Group/New York Festivals, where he served as president and spent the past 10 years managing New York Festivals Advertising Awards, AME Awards, Midas Awards and Global Awards.  He was responsible for all facets of award show programming and marketing, exhibitions and screenings of winning work, and educational and civic partnerships.

“ADC began as a progressive force back in 1920 as the first creative organisation for the commercial arts,” O’Rourke noted. “I’m extremely honoured and excited to now be able to leverage The One Club for Creativity’s global platform and resources to continue and expand this legacy as a progressive catalyst for the next 100 years of commercial craft, design and innovation.”

“Michael’s background, deep industry knowledge and enthusiasm make him the ideal fit to lead the ADC Awards into the next phase of its evolution,” added Kevin Swanepoel, chief executive officer, The One Club.

“His vision is in sync with the program’s progressive mission, and we look forward to the inspiring initiatives he’ll lead.”

Michael O’Rourke

TOCC’s senior management team, led by Swanepoel, now includes Yash Egami, vice president, content and marketing, who has led The One Club charge in those areas for more than a decade; Gabriela Mirensky, director, awards and design, who previously served for a dozen years as director of competitions and exhibitions at AIGA; and Tony Gulisano, global chief growth officer, who has over three decades of experience directing award programs, including 26 years with the Clio Awards.

“We’ve assembled a powerhouse leadership team who have a level of skills, connections and experience that’s unmatched by any other creative industry organisation in the world,” Swanepoel stated.  “This team is laser focused on achieving our vision of being the world’s foremost non-profit organisation to celebrate and elevate the global creative community.”

The One Club and ADC merger, which was announced last year, was recently officially approved by the New York State Attorney General’s office, effective April 1, 2017.

The One Club for Creativity now serves as the umbrella organisation for The One Show, ADC Awards, Young Guns, Creative Week, One Screen, Hall of Fame and a wide range of global education and diversity programs.

As part of the merger, three members of the ADC board of directors, Brian Collins, chief creative officer, COLLINS; Philippe Meunier, creative chief/co-founder, Sid Lee; and Robert Wong, executive creative director, Google, have joined The One Club board.

Each of its awards shows has its own distinct focus. The ADC Annual Awards maintains its historical concentration as the champion for craft, design and innovation. The One Show continues its focus on creativity of ideas and quality of execution.

TOCC programming includes Creative Boot Camps, Here Are All The Black People multicultural creative career fair, Creative Leaders Retreat, Young Ones honouring students, Creative Women’s Leadership Series, the 50/50 Initiative, Paper Expo, Hands On, Henry Wolf Photography Workshop for NYC public school students, Saturday Career Workshops for talented high school juniors in the five boroughs of New York and others.

TOCC will celebrate excellence in craft, design and innovation for professional work at the ADC 96th Annual Awards Gala on May 8, 2017.

Student winners will be presented at the Young Ones & ADC Student Awards Ceremony on May 9. Both awards shows are part of The One Club for Creativity’s Creative Week in New York, May 8-12.

Creative Week also includes The One Show over two nights, the Young Ones Festival and inspiring sessions with some of the biggest names in the industry at the Creative Summit.