Andrew Tinning’s AdStars Diary Day 2 and 3: choosing the two $10,000 Grand Prix winners
SHED, Perth creative partner Andrew Tinning is in Busan, South Korea as part of the large jury panel to judge this year’s AdStars.
Day 2. Judgment day. To our surprise, the metal had already been awarded based on averaging out the results of the online judging, so our job was to review and refine.
While a fair amount of the work was familiar, having done well in previous shows, there were some things that I hadn’t seen before, particularly from Asia, which was good, as this festival is very much about encouraging creativity in the region. As is typical of print these days, there were some beautifully crafted pieces, but it was the work that had equally strong ideas and insights that rose to the top and picked up the shiny stuff. There didn’t appear to be any obvious scams and consensus in the room was virtually unanimous when it came to moving work up down and an in couple of cases, around.
The category judging went for just over 6 hours, and at the end of each session a grand prix was chosen for each. From there, all of the judges gathered to chose the two ultimate Grand Prix winners that will be awarded top honours plus 10 grand each on the night. Armed with this inside information, I know who I’ll be standing next to at the bar!
Having worked up a hunger and a thirst, we were then treated to a seaside BBQ Korean style. No live sea worms thankfully but there was bowl of Beondegi or steamed seasoned silkworm pupae on each table. If I had to describe the flavour, I’d say nutty, with a musty aftertaste. Having crossed that one off my ‘bring me a 
bucket list’ I can safely say been there done that never going there again! Along with a seemingly endless supply of freshly caught local scallops, clams, prawns and abalone, there was tide of Hite and Soju (Korean beer and sake) to wash it down with.
A great night was had by all with some (who shall remain nameless) choosing to continue on until the the very early hours. Having crossed ‘seeing the sun rise in Busan with a beer in hand’ off my bucket list, I can safely say been there, done that and will more than likely do it again before the weeks over! I blame it on the company I keep.
Day 3. Nothing like a city tour to take your mind off the way your body is feeling. Wednesday was a day of R&R and the organisers had kindly arranged a guided tour of Busan for the judges.
Among the sights to behold were a beautiful temple overlooking the ocean, APEC house where the summit was held in 2005, and the fascinating Busan fish market which included a lesson in making Eomuk (Korean fishcakes).
It was great and just another example of the fabulous hospitality that we have been shown by Mr. Choi Hwan-jin, Chairman of the AD STARS executive committee and his team.
Thursday is opening day and I have to be up early to offer ‘words of encouragement’ to the young creatives who will be competing in the Newstars competition. If I’m to be capable of stringing more than a dozen together, then it’s an early night for me tonight.
