New York Confessionals: Big names, big ideas

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Big Guys.jpgChris Kyme (centre), the CEO of KymeChow Hong Kong, is in New York for the New York Festival Awards judging. Here’s his day four blog.

I’m enjoying working with some of the industry heavyweights on this jury, and they don’t much heavier than two of my fellow jurors, Jimmy Smith, CEO and CCO at Amusement Park Entertainment and Noel Cottrel, CCO at Fitzgerald and Co, both here in the US. As you can see here, these towering creative goliaths both stand tall in height as well as industry stature.

But what makes this a rewarding experience is also some of the intense, passionate debate that ensues as we home in on decisions that will determine the cream of the crop. I think this show has historically had a perception problem as to its judging process and the credibility of the results, but take it from me, this is as thorough an examination of work by as serious as bunch of respected individuals as you’ll find in any of the main industry shows. Every entry gets scrutinized, questioned, challenged and interrogated until it confesses to its strengths or weaknesses.

So let’s talk about the work. For sure there’s the usual smattering of higher-profile entries that have turned up in other shows and is or looks familiar to the seasoned jurors. And then there are some really nice surprises that pop up which are maybe on show for the first time. But speaking personally as someone who grew up doing TV, I have to say it’s this category which makes my bum quiver the most and sends warm waves reassurance through my body when viewing some of the great stuff on show. Especially the real stuff as opposed to the not-sure-if-it’s-real and was it created just for awards other stuff (there, I didn’t say the dirty word).

NY Trophy.jpgSo far favourites (for me anyway) have been the done and dusted (Volvo Trucks, Guinness, New Zealand Road Safety, Evian etc) which have proven to be known and loved by millions through the power of the ‘like’ button. But there have been some really pleasant surprises too. I’d never seen the Nimble Finance campaign from Oz before..very very funny and beautifully done. Operation Valmano from Germany, hilariously off the wall. A great Luvs diapers spot from the US powered by pin-point insight. And most of all (for me) the superb Jack Jones ‘Made from Cool’ campaign from Sweden featuring Christopher Walken at his straight faced and elegantly dry, funny best. I could watch them forever. All of which pass the ‘wish I’d done that’ factor.

The results of all of which will be out this week for all the world to see for themselves, so enjoy and you’ll see what I mean. And on top of all that, Asia is having a decent showing too. Me? I’m just having a great time hanging out with the big guys.