Imagination + Aussie screen icon Jack Thompson are set to ‘inspire’ 2014 Sydney New Year’s Eve

Australian acting legend Jack Thompson has been engaged by creative agency Imagination as the creative ambassador for 2014 Sydney New Year’s Eve – Australia’s biggest public event.

As well as staring in films such as Sunday Too far Away, The Man from Snowy River, Breaker Morant, Australia and The Great Gatsby, Thompson is a renowned storyteller and lover of poetry. He was chosen by the Imagination team to bring this year’s theme of Inspire to life, utilising not only his extensive creative talent but also his distinctive voice.

With its iconic beaches, sunning harbour, rich Indigenous heritage and vibrant culture of diversity and creativity, Sydney is a city that inspires the world to visit its shores. As part of the Inspire theme Thompson will introduce the many stories that have been inspired by Sydney, including his tales, those of other iconic people and less well known locals.

It is the fourth year Imagination has been tasked with managing the creative direction of Sydney New Year’s Eve, with the contract renewed for a further three years at the end of 2013.

The global agency works with some of Australia’s biggest clients including Telstra, Ford and the Commonwealth Bank to deliver engaging, entertaining and integrated experiential experiences. In October 2013 it created and produced the Royal Australian Navy’s International Fleet Review and has been appointed to develop the Centenary of Anzac Travelling Exhibition, the flagship project of the WW1 Centenary.

Says Heath Campanaro, director at Imagination: “Who better to tell the story of Sydney than an Australian screen legend and one of the city’s favourite sons. We’ve been working closely with Jack over several months to ensure that we showcase the very best of what inspires people living in the city and what inspires others to come and visit our shores.”

Thompson has won Cannes and AFI Awards, was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1986 for his accomplishments in the industry, and more recently received a Doctor of Letters from Charles Darwin University for his commitment to Indigenous Territorians through the Jack Thompson Foundation’s Homelands Building Program.

Says Thompson: “It is such an honour to be able to represent my home town – one of the world’s truly great cities – as the Creative Ambassador of 2014 Sydney New Year’s Eve.

“Sydney is filled with stories that inspire, from the ancient engravings of the Gadigal people in the sandstone of the headlands to the unique architecture of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

“As we prepare to celebrate the year that’s passed and look to the future at what lies ahead, I encourage Sydneysiders and visitors alike to join with us and share their own inspirational stories of Sydney.”

Since being charged with staging Sydney New Year’s Eve Imagination has selected some of the cream of Australia’s creative talent to be creative ambassadors. Last year’s event was led by artist and musician Reg Mombassa, while pop princess Kylie Minogue took charge in 2012, with designer Marc Newson appointed in 2011.

(Pictured L-R: Lisa Taylor, creative director, Imagination; Dan Farrugia, design director, Imagination; Lord Mayor Clover Moore; Troy Graham, senior copywriter, Imagination; Jack Thompson, creative ambassador, 2014 Sydney New Year’s Eve; Kate Anderson, account director, Imagination and Heath Campanaro, director, Imagination.)