LIA names Michael Ritchie jury president on Production + Post Production + Music Video

LIA has announced that Michael Ritchie, (left) managing director and executive producer of Australian based production company Revolver/Will O’Rourke will preside over the Production & Post-Production and Music Video jury. Representing Australia as a jury member is Emma Daines, executive producer / group managing director, Fin Design & Effects, Sydney.

Ritchie began his career in agencies, including head of broadcast at Ogilvy in Sydney, then a more regional gig at DDB HK. From there, he moved into the production side and in 1999 saw his most successful collaboration when he joined and later became partner with Steve Rogers at Revolver. Revolver/Will O’Rourke is known for its commitment to produce work that people seem to remember and hopefully like.

Says Ritchie: “Being asked to be President of the LIA Production & Post Production and Music Video Jury is truly a privilege. I have got to the point where I just don’t want to justify why craft is essential in our industry. I think it’s intrinsic to every single human in this world that they will respond to something made with care and craft far more than something that is not. It’s that simple. I can’t wait to see the work that is entered and for the good stuff to rise to the top.”

Says Barbara Levy, president, LIA: “We are honored to have Michael preside over the Production & Post Production jury. His dedication and belief that craft is something that can make a good idea great and a great idea exceptional makes him the perfect choice to guide this jury in awarding the most outstanding work at LIA 2017.”

When entering awards, production companies, post-production houses, editing facilities and music and sound companies are under the belief that if an agency enters their work, there is no reason for them to enter the work as well. It may make some practical sense in theory – no need to duplicate an entry into LIA, right? Wrong!

Says Levy: “When agencies enter LIA, they don’t necessarily enter work into the categories from which production companies, post-production houses and editing facilities would most benefit, instead choosing product and service categories which are judged by the TV/Cinema/Online Film jury. The craft categories are judged by LIA’s Production, Post-Production and Music Videos jury, this jury is made up of the world’s best production and post-production executives, from top executive producers and directors to agency heads of TV and chief production officers.

“This year, in addition to the global ‘Of The Year’ Awards LIA will also award Regional ‘Of The Year’ Awards, making it is even more important for Production and Post-Production Companies to enter their work and get the recognition they deserve.”

2017 Production & Post-Production and Music Video Jury:

• Michael Ritchie – Jury President – Managing Director / Executive Producer at Revolver/Will O’Rourke
• Emma Daines (right) – Executive Producer / Group Managing Director, Fin Design & Effects, Sydney
• Matthew Fone – Owner, Riff Raff Films. London
• Oliver Fuselier – Managing Partner Live Action, Tool of North America, Santa Monica
• Diane Jackson – Chief Production Officer, DDB Chicago, Chicago
• Donna Lamar – Owner, Stalking Muses, Santa Monica
• Moritz Merkel – Executive Producer / Managing Director, Partizan, Berlin
• Keiko Ono – Executive Producer, Spoon Inc., Tokyo
• David Rolfe – EVP, Director of Integrated Production, BBDO New York, New York
• Hélène Segol – Executive Producer, Wanda Productions, Paris
• Ben Stallard – Production Director, The Mill, London

Judging will take place at Encore Las Vegas from September 29th through October 7th

The Entry System is open for entries. The initial entry deadline is the 9th June.

For more information on submissions and eligibility, please visit the LIA website at www.liaawards.com.