Gerety Awards has revealed its global shortlist following executive jury sessions taking place around the globe.
Three campaigns for New Zealand Transport Agency – Waka Kotahi make it to the shortlist: Belted Jerseys and Booze Maths by McCann New Zealand (formerly FCB New Zealand), and Speed Demons by Finch.
The finalist’s selection recognises outstanding work from 36 countries and highlights the campaigns, brands and agencies that most impressed this year’s international jury.
For this edition, judging sessions were held in London, Auckland, Toronto, New York, Paris, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, Mexico City, Bangkok, Los Angeles, Berlin, and São Paulo. These in person sessions define the shortlist before the Grand Jury comes together online to select the final winners.
Emerging leaders join shadow jury
The Auckland jury was joined by a ‘shadow jury’ – a group of four emerging creative leaders who work alongside the main jury throughout the judging process. This is the first time the Gerety Awards have included a shadow jury in their judging process globally.
Willow Whitman, Faith Waraki, Georgia Henare and Phoebe Rooney from McCann New Zealand participated in both the online and in person jury session. They had the opportunity to join the discussions with the executive jury, share their opinions on the work and make connections with the creative leaders involved.
“It was an honour to be able to host the first Gerety jury in Aotearoa and also to lead a global first for Gerety, with the inclusion of the Shadow Jury,” says Artemis Communications CEO and jury president Isobel Kerr-Newell.
“As a jury, we all feel strongly about the importance of creating opportunities like this for the next generation of female leaders – to actively make space at the table and open doors to rooms like this one.”
Powerful energy
“There was a powerful energy around our jury table on Friday and one that I think most of us would agree was unique,” adds Kerr-Newell.
“Collectively, the jury represented some of the very best creative leaders in our industry, wāhine toa from a diverse range of disciplines, and that was what made the discussion so rich. We all walked away uplifted, energised and genuinely having learned from each other and the differing perspectives we brought.
“In terms of the work, one of the stand-out trends or themes for us was bravery. We saw this play out in bold ideas from brands that showcased their deep understanding of their customers and of culture. The ones that really stayed with us, were the brands who were bold enough to know when to move on a moment, using creativity to turn a cultural spark into something incredible and the courage to know when to let the reins go and allow the idea to truly take flight.”
Final winners revealed in September
The grand jury will now choose the final winners, which will be announced in the first week of September.
This week, Gerety’s global jury insights panels will bring together jury members alongside leading trade press titles to discuss the campaigns, creative trends, and standout work shaping this year’s shortlist.
Alongside the panels, Gerety will once again share its shortlist reel: a curated showcase of the highest-scoring shortlisted work from the executive jury sessions. This will be distributed to agencies, production companies, brands, and industry leaders around the world during shortlist week.
Finalists and jury members will be celebrated at the Gerety VIP Diamond BBQ in Cannes.
