Issues such as gender equality, sexuality, diversity, political extremism and climate change are impossible to ignore. But they’re controversial. Provocative to some. Minefields for communicators. When does purpose-driven advertising becoming cause washing, Epica wonders? Is it still possible to create controversial or even non-politically correct campaigns?

Epica Awards is gearing up to host its Creative Circle in Amsterdam on November 15 in the KIT Royal Tropical Institute. Where it will get “CMOs, creative minds, journalists, agency directors, opinion leaders, CEOs, creators and scientists together in one room to put their heads together and discuss what our shared responsibility is as an industry.”

Taking part in Epica’s series of round table conversations are ABN Amro, KPN, Nuon, Philips and PWC, as well as agencies, BETC, Cheil, DDB, Superheroes, We Are Social and Wieden + Kennedy. They are joined by journalists from titles such as Adweek, Adformatie, and Werben & Verkaufen.

The industry will be represented by opinion leaders from the EASA (European Advertising Standards Alliance), the IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau), the DDA (Dutch Digital Agencies) and the VEA (the association of Dutch communications consultants). As well as students from the New School Amsterdam.

Epica Awards Creative Circle is backed by partners Adobe, Euronews, Screenvision and the EASA.

Everything you need to know is here.

There are still places available for the Epica Awards ceremony, from 7pm on November 14, applauding the world’s best creative work as voted by the unique press jury of the editors’ and publishers’ international creative awards. Tickets are available here.