Countdown to the big AWARD Awards plus the CB Legendary Lunch sponsored by LIA Awards

The cream of Australian advertising (plus a few Kiwis) have descended on Sydney in the lead-up to the AWARD Awards this Thursday March 19.

This year’s AWARD chairman of judges, Dan Wieden (right), co-founder and chairman of Wieden+Kennedy, is in town and will also be special guest speaker at an AWARD function at the Ivy Ballroom this Thursday.

And today (Wednesday March 18) we will be hosting the annual CB Legendary Lunch at one of our favourite harbourside restaurants.

The lunch – which will be attended by Australia’s top creative directors and selected production company exec producers – plus special guest Mark Tutssel (right), the chief creative officer of Leo Burnett Worldwide – is generously sponsored by New York-based Barbara Levy, president of the London International Awards, who is visiting Sydney with LIA event co-ordinator Laurissa Levy to catch up with top creative directors and to attend the AWARD Awards.

Says Levy (left): “LIA is both proud and honoured to be co-hosting the LIA/CB Legendary Lunch during AWARD week in Sydney.  Over the years, LIA has had a front row seat in watching the Australian advertising community grow to become a global powerhouse within this industry.

“Co-hosting is our way of giving thanks to those who have supported us throughout the years. It is a privilege for LIA to be part of this event, a way of showing the respect and admiration we have for the creatives who have led the way. What better time and place to do this than during AWARD week when the Australian creative community celebrates its achievements within this great industry.”

In 2015, LIA will continue its Creative LIAisons programme that runs concurrent with the Judging in October in Las Vegas. Creative LIAisons was launched in 2012 as a way of giving back to the industry, targeted to Young Creatives from around the globe. LIA coordinates 4 days of educational and enriching seminars, lunches and dinners filled with stimulating discussions centered on the experiences and ideas of the speakers in their respective fields. The entire initiative, including travel, meals and hotel expenses, is fully funded by LIA. One young Aussie and one young Kiwi creative will be chosen later in the year to attend this educational and thought-inspiring event.

By the way, any interstate or international creative directors who plan to be in Sydney on Wednesday 18 March and would like to attend the lunch please contact Lynchy now. It’s fully booked but there may be a few last-minute no-shows.

The LIA Awards will be judged in Las Vegas in October and will include several Australian judges, which will be announced at a later date.

Aussie expats John Mescall, Global Executive Creative Director, McCann Worldwide is Jury President of the TV/Cinema/Online Jury, while Matt Eastwood, Global Chief Creative Officer of JWT wis Jury President of the Print/Poster/Billboard Jury.