303Lowe’s Alan Taylor crowned Campaign Brief’s Advertising Person of the Year at the Oasis Ball

One of the major awards on the night at the Campaign Brief Awards, held in the ballroom of Crown Perth, is the Advertising Person of the Year announcement. And it’s been a long time coming for one of Perth’s most respected and popular admen.

303Lowe’s managing director Alan Taylor was a very popular choice within the industry this year and he joins the ranks of previous worthy winners that include Perth Advertising legends, and two-time winners, Bruce Shorter (FCB Shorter), Ken James (Brand Agency), Stephen Wells (303), and Mike Edmonds (Meerkats).

Taylor has been finalist for Advertising Person of the Year several times previously. The 303Lowe Perth managing director has spent more than two decades in the West Australian advertising industry, and worked diligently over that time to make it a better one. He is passionate about fostering creativity, with a commitment to ensuring WA’s position as a creative force on the national stage.

2013 saw Taylor complete three very successful years as Chair of the WA Chapter of The Communications Council. In this role he: saw membership increase from 6 member agencies to 26; was instrumental in connecting the PADC with AWARD; and drove the overhaul of AdSchool, with a new framework, curriculum and course structure. This was so successful it was used as the pilot for the rest of the country.

Taylor still contributes personally to AdSchool, lecturing in the Communications Essentials module.

He also became the first ever WA representative appointed to The Communications Council’s national board, plus he was asked to join Emergence Creative Festival steering committee and played a key role in defining the direction for the recently completed second Festival.

Beyond the advertising industry, Taylor was appointed to the board of WAM – West Australian Music Association – and immediately elected Vice President. He is a board member of Awesome Arts and a councillor for Creative Partnerships Australia and an advisor to the Emergence Creative Festival. And all of that’s not to mention his vital role at 303Lowe. Under Taylor’s continued leadership, the agency enjoyed another successful year with year-on-year business growth and strong client retention.

Taylor’s nomination for this award was supported with two very fine recommendations:

“My experience of Alan stretches back six years, which for an agency/client relationship these days is, sadly, long term. Our relationship has lasted this long because Alan is a talented, tolerant and humble man. I find his insights and experience soothing. He possesses a gentle wisdom.

He simplifies difficult decisions and without any sense of arrogance or fuss, guides my thinking and importantly, delivers results. He has contributed greatly to the success of Cash Converters, and also the success of many individuals who have been lucky enough to have him as their business and advertising guide. Alan is not only a wonderful ad person, he is a fine ambassador for the advertising industry, his agency and for his fellow hobbits.”

Glenn Donaldson,

International Brand Manager, Cash Converters.

“Over the past four years the rise of The Communications Council in Perth has required not only my efforts but the belief and support of the industry. Integral to this success has been the role of Al Taylor. As Chair of The Communications Council Perth from mid-2009 to mid-2013, Al gave his personal time and support towards the betterment of AdSchool and increasing the integrity and value of the industry itself to media, clients and the general public. To support this statistically, Al’s contribution in time to TCC as Chair equates to approximately 230 days during this four year period.

After stepping down as WA Chair, Al Taylor in 2013 became the first person from the Western Australian industry to be invited to join the national board of The Communications Council. Al’s contribution to the national board is extremely important to the work of TCC locally; his is a significant voice which ensures the local industry is recognised nationally.

Personally, Al has been an incredible support to myself and has led by example in the aim of increasing the industry’s integrity and value.”

Danielle Norrish,

WA State Manager, The Communications Council (and 2012 Ad Person of the Year)

Also considered for the award this year were Meerkats MD Gavin Bain, Martin Boylen General Manager of Fairfax radio stations 96fm and 6PR, Graham Freeman from Adzoo, David Mott the Managing Director of Channel Nine, Marketforce co-creative director Parick Lennox, JWT’s Doni Savvides, SHED co-founder Andrew Tinning and Media Tonic’s Mark Treasure.

See Campaign Brief’s Awards issue (out now) for a full rundown of the Advertising Person of the Year award, plus the other 13 Campaign Brief awards handed out on the night. Contact Mina at perth@campaignbrief.com for your copy.