International creative organization D&AD and Advertising Week announced a new global award show that recognizes companies and brands that are making the world a better place.
Launching in New York City at Advertising Week XIII, D&AD Impact will celebrate real-world achievements generated through creativity across twelve distinct categories: Communication & Interaction, Community, Diversity & Equality, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Financial Empowerment, Humanitarian Aid, Health & Wellness, Industry Evolution, Government Engagement, Responsible Production & Consumption, Urban Living.
The global awards are open to any agency, studio, media owner, publisher, social enterprise, start-up or brand that has contributed towards a better, fairer, more sustainable future and is focused squarely on the role that businesses and brands play within society, the economy, the environment and broader cultural arena.
“Impact will be a place where great, transformative, creative ideas get true applause and ever wider recognition. We are extremely excited to be partnering with Advertising Week on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to elevate the use of creativity as a powerful force for good,” said Tim Lindsay, CEO, D&AD.
The call for entries is now officially open and the web site is live at www.dandadimpact.com. Times Square’s new PlayStation Theater will host the first annual awards show on Tuesday, September 27.
“We have been looking for the right point of entry into the crowded awards space for quite some time and were determined to break new ground. All of us have an opportunity, indeed, an obligation to leave the world in better shape for our children and future generations. That’s why we are doing this and we are delighted to partner with Tim and D&AD,” said Matt Scheckner, Executive Director of Advertising Week.
D&AD Impact winners will receive a coveted White Pencil. Originally launched in 2012, the White Pencil Award was set up to encourage companies and agencies to ‘do well by doing good’ and is now recognized and valued by creative practitioners globally. This new joint initiative is an expansion on this concept.
Experts and leaders from the broader ecosystem of business, communication, arts, music, politics and media will judge D&AD Impact. A Jury Chair will lead each category.
The first Jury Chairs are:
- Tim Brown, President and CEO of IDEO, a leading voice on the value of design thinking
- David Droga, Creative Chairman and Founder of Droga5
- Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef, restauranteur and media personality
- Susan Smith Ellis, former CEO of Product Red and current CMO of Getty Images
The announcement of D&AD Impact was made at Picturehouse Central in London, the new host venue of Advertising Week Europe, which runs this week from April 18 – 22.
