2015 will mark the 35th anniversary of the Axis Awards, and to commemorate this milestone CAANZ will be showcasing some of the work that has been awarded over the course of that period.
“We have a great story to tell, a story of a small island nation that somehow punches way above its weight in generating exciting, world-class ideas,” says Daniel Barnes, the managing partner and chief executive of Barnes Catmur & Friends, who is serving as the Axis Awards chair for the 2015 event.
But while this year’s edition will certainly give a nod to the canon of Kiwi creative work, Barnes is also optimistic about the quality of the work that will be entered in the latest edition.
“Judging by the work this year has produced already, it looks like the next chapter could be the best yet,” he says.
In the past the Axis Awards have drawn criticism for some of the awards, with the snub of Clemenger’s ‘Ghost Chips’ still fresh in the minds of many.
And this year’s convenor of judges Philip Andrew (the executive creative director at Clemenger BBDO) drew attention to the need for accuracy.
“It is my hope that with the wise counsel of our international judges, my jury presidents and in turn, their jury members we can deliver you a show that gets it unspectacularly right,” said Andrew is a statement.
Andrew has already chosen his panel of four jury presidents who will preside over the category judging panels: Nick Worthington (Colenso BBDO), Damon Stapleton (DDB), Regan Grafton (FCB) and Rob Galluzzo (FINCH).
Sitting alongside this local contingent is a panel of international judges, including Jean-Remy von Matt, co-founder of Germany’s Jung von Matt; Mark Harricks, the creative partner at The Works in Sydney; and Matty Burton, one of the founding creative partners Special Group’s Australian headquarters.
In addition to contributing to the judging process, the international judges will also present at ‘Axis Speaks’ to be held the week of the Axis Awards.
This year’s edition of the awards show also coincides with the expansion of several categories.
“Over the past two years we have made some significant changes to the AXIS programme as we strive to ensure it remains relevant to the industry and recognises the best of New Zealand creativity,” says Paul Head, the chief executive of CAANZ. “These changes have bedded in nicely. But the thing about continuous improvement is that is continuous.”
Changes include an entirely new digital craft category, an ‘Inovation In’ category has been introduced in each of the main categories, many craft categories have been expanded to ensure like-for-like entries are judged together, charity categories have been similarly separated to make judging more consistent, a long-form branded content category has been reintroduced, a viral campaign category and been added, and a ‘For Good’ category has also been introduced to recognise businesses that are being socially aware and responsible (click here for a full list of categories).
The Call for Entries is now live, and further details can be accessed at the CAANZ website.
