MANILA, PHILIPPINES — At the recent general assembly of the Creative Guild, Board President Greg Martin III, ECD of Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, presented the plans for Kidlat’s highly-anticipated comeback. The 15th Kidlat Awards, with “Creativity Recharged” as its theme, is expected to zap the zombies out of creatives who may have been feeling lifeless as a result of the pandemic.
“We know we have a lot of creatively gifted individuals here and we just need to awaken them. We want to get their hearts racing and aspire for greatness as we recharge categories and introduce new ones,” Greg said.
Slated to happen on February 17, 2023, Kidlat will be held live with creatives, newbies, and seasoned alike, meeting face-to-face after such a long time. Covering almost two years, March 01, 2021 to December 15, 2022, entries can compete in seven main categories: Classic Creativity, Creativity in Craft, Creativity in Engagement, Creativity in Entertainment, Creativity in Experience, Creativity in Strategy and Effectiveness, and Creativity for Good. Of these categories, there will be 54 sub-leagues.
“We recognize the role that our partners play in bringing to life brilliant ideas. No matter how great an idea is, if crafting falls short, it won’t make the cut. Thus, it is but right to give appreciation to our production partners through the Kidlat Audio Production House of the Year and Kidlat Film Production House of the Year Awards,” said the Guild’s president. Pertaining to the Kidlat Advertiser of the Year Award, he added, “Without the creative space provided and the trust given by clients, great work won’t see the light of day.”
Other Special Awards to be handed out are Grand Kidlat, Kidlat Sinag, and more importantly, the Kidlat Agency of the Year Awards for the agency with the most number of wins.
“Aside from the Recharged Kidlat Awards, the Board is seeking to spark even more creativity in our young creatives through the Kid Competitions,” shared Director for Young Creatives, Angie Tijam-Tohid who’s also Havas Ortega Group’s ECD. The face-offs will reveal the industry’s Kid Spikes, Kid Lotus, and Kid Lions. A set of Filipino young creatives will also rise to the challenge of representing the country in the Young Spikes Competition Digital Category scheduled on March 01, 2023.
The Creative Guild will invigorate the industry further through Cannes Reel Watch Parties and other F2F Creative Guild Activities apart from the awards and competitions.
Other members of this year’s powerhouse board include Biboy Royong, director for design (Dentsu Jayme Syfu ECD), Maan Angsalud, director for social content (DDB Manila ECD), Joey David-Tiempo, director for PR and comms (Octopus & Whale Founder and CEO), CJ De Silva-Ong, director for website (TBWA/Juice ECD), Anna Chua-Norbert, director for ways & means (DDB Group Chief Culture Officer), Vanne Tomada, executive director (4As), and David Guerrero, trustee of creative services (BBDO Guerrero Creative Chair).
“Starting when Kidlat hits the ground, we hope to create a streak of positive energy that will bring back creativity to life,” concluded Greg. “Like silent lightning, the board is committed to creating thunders of creative inspiration.”
