New York Festivals Announces 2019 Advisory Board

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New York, NY – New York Festivals International Advertising Awards® unveiled the competition’s first ever Advisory Board. This world-class panel of prominent international advertising luminaries helped pilot the competition’s recent transformation.

NYF’s Advisory Board, formed immediately after the 2018 Executive Jury judging sessions, pulls from a brain trust of creative leaders representing 5 continents. Their sage advice and industry expertise were influential in improving the overall competition and they will provide wise counsel throughout the year.

“We are beyond grateful that these respected industry leaders have shared their time, experience and expertise,” said 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 caliber of the competition is of utmost importance… we are committed to honoring excellence.”

With a robust number of international award shows and a myriad of regional competitions for creatives to choose from, agencies look to competition’s like NYF that have a reputation for fair and diverse juries with competition categories reflective of the work produced today.

“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,” said Ted Lim, Chief Creative Officer of Dentsu Singapore. “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.”

“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. 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.

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

Matt Eastwood, Former Global Chief Creative Officer for JWT had this to say about awards. “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”

NYF’s 61 -year legacy continues to stand for honoring global excellence within the international advertising industry. By critically evaluating the entire competition, including a sweeping analysis of categories, with the guidance of the NYF Advisory Board’s highly regarded industry thought leaders and global agency award managers the competition was able to transform. Post-Advisory Board consults resulted in a robust 35% reduction of total categories, additions of exciting new categories and consolidating, ultimately providing a concise and modern category roster reflecting the innovative work produced today and representing the full spectrum of creativity in the industry.

“It’s been a great experience helping to strengthen and shape the offering of the NYF with such a passionate and effective group of leaders,” said Rosie Bardales, Chief Executive Officer and Partner, BETC London. “Striving for a clearer entry process that’s inviting to more agencies and for more competitive award results. BOOM”

Spengler- Aherns added, “I thought it could be helpful to exchange judging experiences with fellow jurors and the NYF Team… I was very honored to be asked to share my opinions on judging processes and categories.”

“I believe that awards, and especially their categories, not only reflect what’s happening in the industry but that they also set course on how the industry will evolve and develop in the years to come,” said Garcia.

“I participated in the NYF advisory board because I wanted the award to be meaningful and relevant to the realities of the times,” added Lim.

“… 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,” added Eastwood.

“I grew up in Argentina (pre-internet era) and we didn’t have much access to see what the rest of the world was doing. The NYF annuals were one of the few places I could go for inspiration when I started in this business more than 20 years ago. I remember being amazed by the work I found flipping those pages. Now, being a part of the NYF, it’s just a dream come true,” added Garcia. “Being part of that conversation as a member of the NYF Advertising Awards advisory board it’s an incredible honor.”

“The Advisory Board’s astute contributions and global vision of the industry will allow NYF to be much more responsive to changes within the ever-evolving advertising industry and ultimately provide a competition that continues to showcase brilliant work emanating from around the globe,” added Ruse.

New York Festivals Advertising Awards Advisory Board