26 November 2014 – The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity has announced the jury president line-up for 2015 as: David Lubars, Joyce King Thomas, Ije Nwokorie, Ann Maes, Rob Galluzzo, Mark Waugh and Mike Wilson. For the first time this year, Dubai Lynx will also award a Grand Prix for Good; chosen by the Integrated jury.
David Lubars, Chief Creative Officer, BBDO Worldwide and Chairman BBDO North America
Film, Print, Outdoor, Radio and Print Craft Jury and Integrated Jury President
David has won over 90 Lions, 4 Emmy’s and over 100 One Show pencils. Under his leadership, BBDO is among the most awarded agencies in the world and is currently ranked #1 in the Gunn Report.
“I’m excited to chair this year’s Dubai Lynx. The jury and I will be looking to see things judges always look for: ideas that make us jealous and envious.”
Joyce King Thomas, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, McCann XBC
Direct, Promo & Activation, Interactive and Mobile Jury President
Named as one of the 100 most influential women in advertising by Advertising Age, Joyce is best known as the writer behind Mastercard’s priceless campaign.
“I’m honoured and excited to chair the Promo and Activation Jury at Dubai Lynx. This is a category where brands have a chance to take big actions and live their values. I look forward to seeing some of the best work in the region.”
Ije Nwokorie, Global Chief Executive Officer, Wolff Olins
Design Jury President
Ije has a built a career that has blurred the lines between technology, strategy, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurialism. He’s an influential voice in the fledgling creative industries in Africa and advisor to numerous start-ups and non-profit organisations.
“I’m excited to learn from people in this important part of the world how creativity is helping us cope with the tremendous technological, social and political challenges of our times.”
Ann Maes, Managing Director, Ogilvy Public Relations
PR Jury President
Ann is a fierce advocate of creative work and specialises in creative content, context marketing and corporate communication. Her teams have brought home an array of international prizes including four Cannes Lions.
“Good creative ideas make people talk, care and share. Great creative ideas go beyond: they make people ‘do stuff’ and are brain candy to everyone working in our industry. Discovering work alike is a real treat. I’m thrilled to see that other disciplines voraciously adopt our tools, platforms and techniques: it leads to amazing integrated campaigns. By celebrating great PR ideas, we can show the power and beauty of it.”
Rob Galluzzo, Founder / Executive Producer, FINCH
Film Craft Jury President
Rob’s broad scope of production skills has earned him international recognition across categories including innovation, film, experiential and craft, while his entertainment work has been recognised at the International Digital Emmys and the AFIs.
“Film Craft transcends language, cultural and geographical barriers. It is the art and craft of bringing something to life from its written form. We will be celebrating world class expressions of this craft by the many specialists that go into making a beautiful piece of film. I look forward to seeing what the region has to offer.”
Mark Waugh, Global Managing Director & Chief Content Officer, Newcast
Branded Content & Entertainment Jury President
Mark founded the UK office of Newcast in 2007 and has since rolled out the business to 20 markets worldwide. He is a passionate and well-known advocate for content marketing and a frequent speaker on the topic.
“I am extremely honoured to be selected as this year’s Lynx Jury President for Branded Content & Entertainment. As the ‘content’ space becomes ever more embedded into client thinking, we’ve seen agencies in the region grab the opportunity to create these richer and deeper brand experiences with typical energy. I’m relishing the chance to work alongside some of the world’s best content practitioners to find and celebrate the latest, greatest, work.”
Mike Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Havas Media Group Australia
Media Jury President
After nine years at Naked Communications, the award winning multi-discipline agency which he co-founded in 2004, Mike took up a new challenge in 2013 launching Havas Media Group in Sydney, where he is already replicating industry-changing success.
“I’m really looking forward to the great privilege of chairing the Media Jury. If ever there was a time for demonstrating the effectiveness of great communications thinking, and of skilfully managing a multitude of options in a connected, social and ever-evolving media world, that time is now. Best in class media practice should lead to transformational business results – and I’m excited to see the contenders.”
About the presidents, Terry Savage, Chairman of Lions Festivals comments, “These are the people who will lead discussions and debate on creativity in the MENA region and ultimately, together with their juries, award stand-out, innovative work. We’re pleased to have such a strong team on hand who are more than qualified to take on this responsibility.”
For the first time, Dubai Lynx will award the Grand Prix for Good. This new trophy rewards work ineligible to win a Grand Prix in their sections because they are made for charities/not for profit or have charitable or public service messages. All such excluded gold winning entries will now be considered by the Integrated jury who will decide on the winner. Walid Yared, Chief Marketing Officer at Choueiri Group, who are sponsors of the award, commented that the Grand Prix for Good is “a worthy and necessary addition to the awards at Dubai Lynx and a fantastic opportunity to recognise and rightfully honour creativity in this sector. We are delighted to be able to show our support of this award by sponsoring it in its inaugural year.”
Dubai Lynx takes place from 8-10 March with the Awards Ceremony on 11 March. About the Festival, Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of TECOM’s Media Cluster said, “Dubai Lynx has championed creativity across the region, and provides an ideal platform for talent to be inspired, network and share knowledge and ideas. The festival is a true celebration of innovation, and will continue to drive Dubai’s growth as a hub of creativity and excellence, and we are delighted to be able to provide continued support to the festival again this year.”
Entries into the 2015 awards have opened today and further details on submitting an entry, as well as how to be there, can be found at www.dubailynx.com.