M&C Saatchi Australia copywriter, Jason Leigh, has been invited to join the Siren Creative Council; a committee formed by Commercial Radio Australia to foster and promote excellence and creativity in radio advertising and advise the commercial radio industry on advertising issues. The appointment comes off the back of Leigh being named D&AD’s Next Copywriter and winning Pencils for radio writing at the AWARD Awards.

He will join 14 other industry leaders to further creativity in radio and judge the best of the best in radio advertising via the annual Siren Awards. Leigh’s experience on campaigns for brands such as CommBank, Tourism Australia, BIG W and Steggles will give him a strong background for his work with the Council to encourage innovative creative for radio.

“The Siren Awards are huge for every advertising creative. It’s an honour to join those incredibly talented people on the Creative Council, and I’m chuffed to be invited. I’ve had a long and complicated love affair with radio — from discovering comedy through Martin/Molloy, performing comedy on air, begging stations to play my band, coaching firefighters to deliver live updates, writing funny ads and now judging them. I bloody love radio,” Leight commented.

The Council is the result of collaborative discussions between key creative directors from leading Australian advertising agencies and the commercial radio industry. The Siren Creative Council sees education and training, along with peer recognition, as vital elements to improving creativity in radio advertising and increasing recognition for the medium.

“We are pleased to welcome Jason Leigh to the Siren Creative Council, where he will play an important role in celebrating and promoting innovative radio advertising,” stated Joan Warner, chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia. “Jason’s knowledge, passion for radio and extensive industry experience will make him an invaluable member of the Siren Creative Council.”

“This appointment is fantastic recognition for one of the country’s best young writers. Plus, he’s a good guy,” added Cam Blackley, chief creative officer, M&C Saatchi Group.