MARKETFORCE CLEAN UP AT GLITTERING PADC AWARDS

One could have been forgiven for thinking one was at the famous Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Friday night, as Western Australia’s finest in creative talent descended upon His Majesty’s Theatre.
The iconic landmark hosted the Perth Advertising & Design Club’s (PADC) 2007 Annual Awards night. The event recognises creative excellence across numerous categories including Print, Radio, Television/Cinema and Social Marketing. The Awards have been running for over 20 years and are open to agencies, contractors and students.
Marketforce swept up on the night, collecting a total of 8 gongs, including one of the few Gold awards given and the coveted West Australian Fellowship. This award recognises the best newspaper advertisement appearing in The West Australian newspaper and was awarded to the marketing communication company for its “Tourism Wave” advertisement for Tourism WA. Winners of this award receive $5,000 and a trip to the Cannes Advertising Awards, widely considered the world’s most important advertising award show.
Two other special awards were also given on the night. Brainestorm received The Upson Medal for Sound for their “Save it for the Game – Rock Out” production for Rugby WA. However, RARECreativethinking won the highest honours for “Train” for the Public Transport Authority. The company received the PADC Medallion for Excellence, which acknowledges the single piece of work that stands above all others for creative excellence.
Other winners of note included The 303 Group in the categories of Print, Television/Cinema, Social Marketing and Charity and The Brand Agency took home Silver and Bronze awards in the categories of Design, Ambient/Innovative, Art Direction and Photography. Jerome Baldsing took home the Student Advertising Award for Creative Service.
In true theatrical style, the night opened with a magician’s act, after which Acting President of PADC, Mark Braddock, welcomed guests and acknowledged the Judging Jury. The prestigious judging line-up this year included Kevin Finn (best known for his tenure at Saatchi Design in Sydney), independent creative consultant Len Cheeseman, Juggi Ramakrishnan, ECD of BBDO Singapore, Cameron Hoelter, a CD at Clemenger BBDO, Melbourne and Chairman of Judges, Ben Nott, Creative Director and Partner at Droga5.
Sponsors Nova 93.7 added their touch to the Awards with radio breakfast show hosts, Nathan and Nat, announcing the finalists and winners in their own inimitable style.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the continued success of the Awards and congratulations to all who entered and were awarded,” commented Liz Bindon-Bonney, General Manager, PADC. “This year we received a record number of entries (460), with the standard continuing to be exceptionally high. It’s an excellent opportunity for those in the industry and those wanting to join the industry to network and view the talent pool of work originating from WA.”
“We’re also extremely grateful to the ongoing support we receive from our industry partners, without whom these Awards would not be possible,” she added. “It’s so encouraging to see companies such as Meerkats offering Internships for up and coming talent in the industry.”
The PADC’s online directory, CreativeHUB, showcases the work of industry participants and will include a gallery of the night’s winning entries this week.
For more information about the Awards, visit the PADC website at www.padc.com.au