D&AD launch call for entries and unveils global jury presidents

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The 2018 Awards continue to support D&AD’s 56 year long purpose of stimulating, celebrating and enabling creative excellence in design and advertising, in the firm belief that great work always creates better outcomes. And as a not-for-profit organisation D&AD put all its surpluses back into the industry it serves, helping new talent prosper and campaigning for a fairer, more diverse, more sustainable industry. The jury presidents capture this spirit and represent a true gender-balanced split, see full list below.

This year, two new Award categories will be launched for entries. The first being ‘Collaborative’, which will award continued creative executions achieved from a long-standing relationship between an agency and a client. The second new category is ‘Experiential’, which will highlight the importance of brilliant all-encompassing brand experience and activation. The category will recognise work that succeeds in demonstrating the interaction between consumers and brands through experience-led activations.

A war against mediocrity

Tim Lindsay, D&AD CEO, said, “In a media environment that encourages the short-term and tactical it's never been more important to stand up for craft and creativity. Why? Because the good creates better outcomes than the bad - commercially, socially, sustainably, culturally and politically. D&AD's role in this is stimulation, not congratulation. There's too much backslapping when what is needed is a focus on and enablement of creative excellence in advertising and design. We are engaged in a war against mediocrity and you are an important ally. Get involved!”

Donal Keenan, D&AD Awards director, adds, “Last year, we were proud to achieve a 50/50 gender split across our global jury presidents for the first time. This year we have actually surpassed that with over 50% of our jury presidents identifying as female. At D&AD, we strive to ensure we have a true gender-balanced representation across every category and judging panel, it's important to achieve a true diversity of voices in the room to identify the best creative work of the year.”

The Awards ceremony will be held on 26 April 2018 during D&AD Festival, which returns from 24-26 April 2018 at The Old Truman Brewery, Shoreditch. As ever, all awarded work will appear in the D&AD Annual, which is available to purchase exclusively through D&AD. Winning work will also be on display in an exhibition at the heart of D&AD Festival in addition to a packed three-day programme of talks, debates, briefs, hacks, workshops and parties, culminating in the 56th annual D&AD Awards.

Entry details

Work entered into D&AD Awards 2018 must have been commercially released between 1 January 2017 and 18 March 2018 and been produced in genuine response to a client brief. It must not have been entered in previous years. Submissions should be made by 14 February 2018. The Awards cost from just £75 (about R1,387) to enter this year. All entries received by 6 December 2017 will save 10% on the cost of entry. Freelancers and sole traders that are members of D&AD are eligible to receive a 20% discount.

Jury announcements will be made later in the year, full information on categories, pricing and dates can be found at here.