Michael Ritchie, managing director and executive producer at Revolver/Will O’Rourke will preside over the Production & Post-Production and Music Video jury at this year’s LIA judging.

Under Ritchie’s leadership, Revolver/Will O’Rourke has made its mark globally, helping Australia to earn its reputation in the advertising and production industries as a country that punches well above its weight.

He began his career in agencies, becoming head of broadcast at Ogilvy in Sydney, and head of TV at DDB HK, before he moved into production. In 1999 he joined, and later became partner with Steve Rogers at, Revolver.

Ritchie stated, “Being asked to be President of the LIA Production & Post Production and Music Video Jury is truly a privilege. I have got to the point where I just don’t want to justify why craft is essential in our industry. I think it’s intrinsic to every single human in this world that they will respond to something made with care and craft far more than something that is not. It’s that simple. I can’t wait to see the work that is entered and for the good stuff to rise to the top.”

“We are honoured to have Michael preside over the Production & Post Production jury. His dedication and belief that craft is something that can make a good idea great and a great idea exceptional makes him the perfect choice to guide this jury in awarding the most outstanding work at LIA 2017,” noted Barbara Levy, president of LIA.

Contrary to industry intel, it IS important for production and post-production companies, and editing, music and sound studios to enter their work even if an agency has.

Levy explained, “When agencies enter LIA, they don’t necessarily enter work into the categories from which production companies, post-production houses and editing facilities would most benefit, instead choosing product and service categories which are judged by the TV/Cinema/Online Film jury. The craft categories are judged by LIA’s Production, Post-Production and Music Video jury. This jury is made up of the world’s best production and post-production executives, from top executive producers and directors to agency heads of TV and chief production officers.

“This year, in addition to the global Of The Year Awards LIA will also award Regional Of The Year Awards, making it is even more important for Production and Post-Production Companies to enter their work and get the recognition they deserve.” 

2017 Production & Post-Production and Music Video Jury:

Michael Ritchie – Jury President – Managing Director / Executive Producer at Revolver/Will O’Rourke

Emma Daines – Executive Producer / Group Managing Director, Fin Design & Effects, Sydney

Matthew Fone – Owner, Riff Raff Films. London

Oliver Fuselier – Managing Partner Live Action, Tool of North America, Santa Monica

Diane Jackson – Chief Production Officer, DDB Chicago, Chicago

Donna Lamar – Owner, Stalking Muses, Santa Monica

Moritz Merkel – Executive Producer / Managing Director, Partizan, Berlin

Keiko Ono – Executive Producer, Spoon Inc., Tokyo

David Rolfe – EVP, Director of Integrated Production, BBDO New York, New York

Hélène Segol – Executive Producer, Wanda Productions, Paris

Ben Stallard – Production Director, The Mill, London

Judging will take place at Encore Las Vegas from September 29 through October 7.

LIA open for entries. The initial entry deadline is the June 9. Everything you need to know to enter is here.