Seen and noted

BEST TV
Winner: Cryptocurrency Exchange OKX "What's that". I like this ad. Made with last year's crypto riches, it has enough dumb-funny scenarios to be entertaining.
It's a classic drive home the product name with a structure that lets you have some fun. It's really well made.
I'm also a Daniel Ricciardo fan and want him to have a win. So here it is.

Runner up: KFC "Anything for the taste". I don't know what I think about this ad but it was the most fun TVC I watched.
Great little story. Great performance and film making. It moved and I wasn't bored.
It felt a little bit out of place from most KFC advertising I've seen from around the world but maybe that's okay.

2nd Runner up: Pinterest "Fear of Failure". I loved the idea of this idea. The insights were all spot on. We are all our own worst enemy.
I related to all of these ads. But there was something that just left me flat in the execution.

BEST PRINT
Winner: s73 "Map of domestic violence". A simple, nasty visual. A bruise in the shape of Kazakhstan and the reported domestic abuse numbers from each region.
It makes the point.

Runner up: Rio Grande do Sul Public Library "Read a Woman". More a good interactive piece than a good print ad, I liked the idea of scanning a book and having books written by women being served up. Nice craft.

BEST OUTDOOR
Winner: Heineken "Solar energy to cool your beer". If actions speak louder than words, then this one is the winner.
Using solar panels on a billboard connected to a bar, is a nice little idea.
And it promotes Heineken's bigger renewable objectives.

Runner up: PSA "A sip of Freedom". I also wanted to like this idea. I'm not totally sure how it worked.
But the idea of creating labels (and beer?) as a way to fundraise for the Ukraine resistance.
Seems like a neat way to do something to help.

BEST INTERACTIVE
Winner: United Ukrainian Ballet Company "Defiant Dancer". This piece is stunningly beautiful. It's simplicity and impact make it a winner for me.
It's more installation and theatre than digital interactive, but I really like it.

Runner up: JFK Library Foundation "We Choose 2". This is a fun experience and it's really well made. Love the design. I love re-imaging the familiar story for a different generation.
I love the idea of challenging people to act today. But I also still love the power of JFK's original spoken words.
But if re-mixing, beats and TikTok give it a second life, who am I to judge?




This week's guest judge is Paul Little, group creative director at Juniper Park TBWA, Toronto.

Paul Little is one of Canada's most respected copywriters and creative directors.

He was ranked 7th most awarded copywriter in Canada during the 2000's.

Most recently, as executive creative director at john st., in Toronto, Paul helped lead the agency back onto the
Strategy Agency of the Year list for the 3 years he was there. Some of his successes included the wildly popular Tangerine Toronto Raptors playoff campaign, and the award-winning Boston Pizza Patio Chairs.

He helped start up Camp Jefferson in Toronto. And he worked at Sid Lee in Montreal, as global creative director for DELL, and on projects for adidas and Major League Soccer.

Previously, he was ECD at TBWA Vancouver. A small but creative powerhouse, best known for the highly loved Vancouver International Film Festival work.

Paul's work has won at every major award show: Cannes, One Show, Clios, Webbys, D&AD for writing and Best-of-Show at the Canadian Marketing Awards.

His headline for BC Lung Association is often listed as one of the best headline ads written.