Sydney, Australia — As the advertising industry continues to innovate and inspire globally, AWARD School, a top-notch institution for budding creatives in the Asia-Pacific region, has convened a powerhouse of leaders from around the world for its 2024 Super Jury. The distinguished members are set to evaluate the promising works of aspiring advertisers, ensuring a vigorous selection process for the prestigious school’s ultimate laureate.
This year’s Super Jury comprises a remarkable lineup of executive creative directors, chief creative officers, and strategic thinkers from top agencies across the globe. Notable jury members include Greg Hahn, co-founder and chief creative officer at Mischief in the USA; Helen Rhodes, executive creative ready to align at BBH London, UK; Jim Curtis, global EVP at McCann, USA; and Erica Stevens from nice&frank in NYC. Adding to the cache are Guan Hin Tay from BBDO Singapore and Maria Devereux from Accenture Song, North America, among others, making this year’s jury one of the most diverse and accomplished to date.
Scott Dettrick, AWARD School’s national co-head, enthusiastically noted the panel’s unmatched expertise, expressing confidence in their ability to discern the top talent. “The exceptional caliber of our jurors this year is unmatched and truly global,” said Dettrick. “By entrusting the future of advertising creativity to such eminent figures, we celebrate and elevate the standards of our industry.”
Echoing the sentiments, Sharon Edmondston, another AWARD School national co-head, praised the students’ unwavering diligence throughout their demanding 12-week curriculum. “We’ve witnessed extraordinary dedication and creativity that signify the future of storytelling in advertising is in capable hands,” Edmondston remarked.
One of the jury members, Daniel Walton, who serves as a creative strategist at Meta – Creative Shop in Southeast Asia, shared his enthusiasm for participating in the judging. “It is always inspiring to witness fresh, critical thinkers break into the industry, especially at a time when balancing cutting-edge technology with genuine human connection is more crucial than ever,” Walton said.
The rigorous judgment process of this year’s submissions will commence online this Friday. Following the online evaluations, a series of state graduation ceremonies will take place across NSW, VIC, WA, QLD, SA, and an online program on August 6, celebrating the hard work and innovation of AWARD School students.
The culmination of these efforts will be showcased at The Gold Pencil Award Party held on August 15 at This Way Up, Australia’s foremost festival celebrating creative achievements in advertising. At this event, the AWARD School’s top national student will be announced, a moment that many in the industry eagerly anticipate each year.
Winners from each state will be eligible to participate in the Super Jury round, where final assessments will determine the national victor. Reconvening at such a reputable platform not only creates exhilarating opportunities for the students but also propels them towards potentially lucrative and illustrious careers in advertising.
AWARD and the Advertising Council Australia, in a joint statement, conveyed their best wishes to all participants, recognizing the pivotal role such innovative minds play in continually driving the industry forward.