What happened in Vegas

Aussie expat senior copywriter John Downing, who joined DDB New York from DDB Sydney earlier this year, was one of the 60 young creatives from around the world attending this week’s LIA ‘Creative Conversations’ in Las Vegas. Here he writes about his experience for Campaign Brief.

The London International Awards did something quite different this year. Instead of having an award ceremony, they flew 60 young creatives from around the world to have a chat in Vegas. It’s unfortunate if you like walking onstage to thunderous applause, but it was great for us.

Creative Conversations put us in the same room as the likes of Doerte Spengler-Ahrens, Jeremy Craigen and Sonal Dabral. Or in Neil French’s case, out on the patio so he could have a smoke.

To be honest, I was terrified. These hyper-talented, hyper-accomplished creatives were going to find out how ignorant and naïve I really am. French has been a bullfighter, bouncer and pornographer. I worked at McDonald’s.

Thankfully no speaker was as intimidating as his monochrome headshot had led me to believe. Over two days, we were broken into small groups and introduced to the best of the best. It was like speed dating with chicks that are way out of your league. I felt right at home.

On the final day there was a panel conversation called My First Time. Phil Growick (far left) of The Howard-Sloan-Koller Group has put together a book of the same title, in which industry greats share how they got started in the industry. If that sounds like a plug, it is. Ted Royer, Jeremy Craigen, Susan Credle, Israel Diaz and Tony Calcao (pictured left) were on hand to offer their best advice.

When you see a really funny comedian and try to retell his jokes it never works.

For that reason I won’t try and relay all the things I learned, but I will share an observation.

Over the past few days I saw that the people who have spent a lifetime in the industry are as passionate as the people who are just getting started.

That may sound trivial but when advertising spends so much time kicking you in the nuts, it’s nice to know it won’t leave you sterile.

And that’s it from me. It’s our last night here, and I intend it to be one I won’t soon remember. Cheers.