BEST TVWinner: Instagram '
Small Fries'. I'm going with Instagram this week. It's a really authentic-feeling spot with casual charm, and an emotional resonance that's hard to ignore. If I had to explain Insta and the role it plays in Gen Z lives to anyone I'd probably show them this. I feel like it would have been easy to get this one wrong. Beautifully shot and edited.
Runner-up: Fire and Emergency NZ '
Three Minutes to Save a Life'. I'm a sucker for a smart tactical play, and using the 3 minute ad break to get Kiwis to plan for a housefire is smart thinking. They kept the execution neat and tidy too.
BEST PRINTWinner: Orient De Luxe Hotel & Resort '
Red Towel'. Out of the shortlist this week Orient felt like the most elegant ad. It's simple, I get it, I've packed my Speedo.
Runner up: Public Transport Authority WA '
Mind the gap'. Hyperbolizes the risk of not taking the gap seriously. Solid stuff.
BEST OUTDOOR WellingtonNZ '
Escape to Wellington'. I've been to Wellington, and nowhere in this stunt do they mention the wind. Seriously though I love the job postings in this piece, so while putting people's info up on a giant billboard in NYC might be surprising, they really nail it with the reward of a possible escape, and a fresh start somewhere less hectic. And windy.
Runner-up: Road to Zero '
Car chase'. Nice tactical placement and use of stereotypical movie poster art-direction. Would have liked to have seen more detail and craft, milk all the opportunities that exist for messaging in a detailed poster but overall quite nice.
BEST RADIOWinner: VB '
England Bitter'. You had me at cricket. The Ashes this year - quite the rollercoaster, and you need a whole bunch of context to get these spots, and the greater campaign. But I absolutely love it that VB launched a beer to comment on the incredible amount of whinging the English put forth, as well as their refusal to partake in the customary post-series pint. Nice ad, even nicer idea. Cheers!
Runner up: Clothing please '
Breathe'. Well executed, might make a few people think twice before binning a denim jacket. Delivered some crucial stats and points in a memorable fashion.
This week's guest judge is Neil Walker-Wells, executive creative director at Juniper ParkTBWA, Toronto.
Neil is an executive creative director originally from Cape Town, South Africa, currently heading up the creative department at Juniper ParkTBWA in Toronto.
At the age of 18 Neil had no idea that advertising existed as a career, and in fact got into it later than most after a career as a chef in Europe and Africa.
Jump forward to today, and after 20 plus years in this ad world, Neil is still a firm believer that the creative mind is still the most powerful tool people have at their disposal. And that if you work in an agency, regardless of your department or title, you're a problem-solver first and foremost.
Hugely passionate about fostering creativity, for the last twenty years Neil has worked closely with creative departments from Dubai to Toronto to inspire and engage the talent around him.
Says Neil: "I think I'm doing it right, because it's never been dull."
