NYF: Meet the top creatives making sure the NYF ad awards are just right

Nothing that stays the same stays on top. Not even advertising awards shows. So after its 2018 Executive Jury judging sessions, New York Festivals International Advertising Awards created its first ever advisory board to improve and update the competition.

“Like many CEOs, CMOs and CCOs, I feel there are too many award shows. It is important that we enter the award shows that matter, the ones that are relevant to our work, our industry, our clients and our customers,” noted Ted Lim, chief creative officer of Dentsu Singapore, and representative board member from APAC.

“The award has to stand for something. Not glorification, but recognition of relevant, original and impactful work that delivers real and measurable results, a return on investment.”

The board is made up of creative leaders from five continents:

• Matt Eastwood Former Worldwide CCO, J. Walter Thompson

• Doerte Spengler-Aherns CCO, Jung von Matt/SAGA

• Aricio Fortes Former CCO, DM9DDB

• Swati Bhattacharya CCO, FCB Ulka

• Mick Blore CCO South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, McCann Worldgroup

• Robin Fitzgerald CCO, BBDO Atlanta

• Fede Garcia Global ECD, Huge

• Ted Lim CCO, Dentsu Brand Agencies APAC

• John Mescall Global ECD, McCann Worldgroup

• Rosie Bardales CCO and Partner, BETC London

• Taras Wayner CCO, Saatchi & Saatchi NY

• Ronald Ng Former CCO, Digitas

• Jeff Stamp Deputy CCO, Grey Group

• Erh Ray Founder and CEO, BETC/Havas São Paulo

• Gerrit Zinke Managing Partner/Partner, thjnk Hamburg GmbH

• Mike Byrne Founding Partner and Global CCO, Anomaly

“It is more important than ever to award creativity,” explained Doerte Spengler-Ahrens, chief creative officer for Jung von Matt/SAGA, “not only because creativity is more needed than ever, but because brands and clients need to be motivated to strive for the best work. Awards are important for the industry the clients and the talent.”

Matt Eastwood, former global chief creative officer for JWT, added, “I think awards are an important part of the industry. They push us to be better. They help build an individual’s, or even an agency’s creative reputation. And, ultimately, success at award shows helps an agency recruit the very best creative talent. Creative talent is attracted to an agency with a proven track record of outstanding creativity.”

For NYF, the board serves to uphold its 61-year legacy of applauding advertising excellence globally. Its first job was to evaluate the entire competition critically. Categories were reduced by 35% and reformed to reflect the work being done today.

“We are beyond grateful that these respected industry leaders have shared their time, experience and expertise,” stated Susan Glass Ruse, executive director of New York Festivals Advertising Awards.

“Here at NYF, we hold the work and the individuals who create it in high regard and understand that the calibre of the competition is of utmost importance…we are committed to honouring excellence.”

“Award shows like the NYF set the bar for the industry on what true creative looks like and show the kind of work we should aspire to make,” added Fede Garcia, global executive creative director for Huge. Creating work that stands up to that bar is a sure way to know your investment will show the desired returns,” said Fede Garcia, global executive creative director for Huge.

“… a trophy is only as valuable as the award show’s reputation. So, an opportunity to assess and evolve the New York Festivals seemed like an extremely important task to be involved with. It’s important that the show remains as relevant and modern as possible,” Eastwood concluded.