At the end of this year I will have completed 31 years in media.
Rambling on to some hapless graduate trainee the other evening, I was
trying to convey the lowly nature of the media trade in those long-lost
days. The subsequent unbundling of media services is without doubt the
single greatest change in the advertising business in those 31
years.
Earlier this year, Stefano Hatfield and some of the Campaign editorial
team invited to dinner a number of media agency luminaries to discuss
Campaign launching its own media awards. I was concerned that the awards
should not be an introspective self-congratulatory exercise but I firmly
believed that the imprint of Campaign on a set of media awards would
acknowledge the contribution of media to marketing communications.
Judging overcame any lingering doubts and proved a humbling and
frightening experience because of the volume and quality of the entries.
Zenith has 48 offices in 29 countries and I travel regularly, thus I see
a lot of media work from around the world. Let no-one now underestimate
the talent, energy, originality and competitiveness of the UK market.
The judging day was hugely enjoyable and the judges were as competitive
as the entrants.
I am delighted that Campaign gave its name and resources to these
awards, as they will convince even the greatest cynics of the abundance
of talent in our business and how far media has come.
Thank you to all the entrants and to Campaign.
THE JUDGES
Bernard Balderston, Media Manager - Procter & Gamble UK
Matthew Pilcher, Media Manager - Nestle UK
Simon King, Planning Director - Carat (at time of judging)
Francis Goodwin, Managing Director - Maiden Outdoor Advertising
Mike Elms, Client Service Director - CIA Medianetwork Europe
John Perriss, Chairman and Chief Executive - Zenith Media Worldwide
(Chairman of the judges)
Martina King, Managing Director - Capital Radio London
Charlie Dobres, General Secretary - Internet Advertising Bureau (UK &
Ireland)
Andy Tilley, Managing Partner - Unity
Phil Georgiadis, Managing Partner - Walker Media
David Pattison, Chief Executive - New PHD
Oliver Cleaver, Media Director Europe - Kimberly-Clark Europe
Nick Manning, Managing Partner - Manning Gottlieb Media
Jim Marshall, Chief Executive - MediaVest UK
Eric Salamon, General Manager Corporate Marketing and Communications -
European Grocery HJ Heinz Co.
