For second year in a row GPY&R Melbourne continues to snub hometown MADC Awards

Ben-COULSON-GOOD-SMALL.jpgYesterday's MADC finalist list reveals that George Patterson Y&R Melbourne has - for the second year in a row - snubbed its hometown awards.

GPY&R Melbourne ECD Ben Coulson (left) told CB his network's award priorities this year were global shows and regional shows (like the Asia Spikes, where the agency led the Aussie charge) but did not rule out returning to the MADC fold next year.

Coulson added that the agency continued to support the MADC and would be showing up on the night.

14 Comments

Go GPY&R said:

and can totally understand why you do. It is an embarrassment.

Tommo said:


I think Patts have it right. There's about a million MADC trophies hanging around in their foyer anyway.

Annie said:


Coulson doesn't look to sad about it in that pic. Hey I took the budget and went on holiday in Bali.

Above said:

To put yourself above the competition by not entering is a dangerous way to make a statement. W+K have literally hundreds (yes, hundreds, I've seen them) of Cannes lions on their office, placed neatly one by one in this interminable corridor of glory. Does that stop them entering every year? No it doesn't. But wait, MADC is not a Cannes Lion. Point taken. But Patts is definitely not Wieden and Kennedy either. And will never be.

Anne Miles said:

Tricky one... It is nice to support a local community and MADC does great work for the industry down there. Sadly there is only so much cash in the award entry budget these days and the local awards, not even national, do make it a stretch to spread that cash that far.

I wonder if there is something MADC could do to make it more accessible or switch to online comps with lesser cost... or something?? Maybe join forces with another body? Make it about art direction related categories only across a wider network - more niched and individual than other awards but move worldwide at the same time?

Time for a revamp of some sort, I'm thinking...

Come on said:

Its not about the money, it's about the dummy-spit they had over perceived Clem's bias in the judging and intimation of scamming by the judges a couple of years ago. Some cake client I believe.

They're just punishing madc, and will be back at some point.

MADC should look at making it more affordable though. For a show that gives you no Gunn points, and a show that your global and regional bosses don't care about, it should be under a hundred bucks an entry.

Easy Prediction said:

Probably best to just hand all the gongs to Clems now and be done with it, I'd say.

Know said:

Anne, respectfully, don't be naive. Those who know, know what happened. And quite frankly, it seems that you, well, don't.

Door stops said:

Sadly i would have to side with George Patterson Y&R on this one.

Over the years MADC has done little to make it feel like a local award show celebrating Melbourne's best work.

They are bloody ugly too.

Sad but True said:

There are too many awards. You have to choose the ones that matter.

Who cares said:

@know.... What we do in fact know is that MADC still suffers from the same issues it did as the year that Patts decided they'd had enough.... Most clients and agencies question its worth.

Out dated said:

Every agency has an Award budget. In tight times, this budget gets reduced. So why spend money on an Award (and I include AWARD in this) that nobody in the world even cares about. Anybody hire any South African's lately? Did you care about their local award show wins on their CV? Anybody even know what it's called? Didn't think so.

The only thing an MADC is good for, is getting you laid on AWARD night. (Ask Coulson.) Hang on a minute, he's married now. Wait... Now it all makes complete sense.

And sure, the spin offs for the local industry I hear you say. Sorry, it's a different time, there are stacks of newer sexier award shows these days, (Young Guns, Webbys etc.)
Your model is no longer relevent. Reinvent the MADC and what it's role is and ditch the show. This industry is full of smart people, Use those people and come up with new ideas.

Truth said:

@Come on is pretty much right.

It is a hissy fit about Patts being pinned for Scamming a couple of years ago.

And an ongoing spat with the MADC management.

Nothing to do with money or priorities of what shows are more important.

?? said:

Out dated said "The industry is full of smart people"
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