LA-based Aussie expats Linda Knight and Ned McNeilage announced as Diamond Skulls Patrons
The husband and wife team of TBWA/Chiat/Day LA ECD Linda Knight and Creative Artists Agency CD Ned McNeilage are this year’s Diamond Skulls Patrons, filling the big shoes left by Matt Eastwood.
PADC President Mark Braddock said Knight and McNeilage’s broad range of experience across the breadth of commercial creativity makes them an exciting choice.
“From managing the creative roll-out across every touch-point for brands such as adidas to directing their own independent multi-award-winning short documentary, these guys have done it all all the while supporting emerging talent.”
McNeilage and Knight will review the work of all seven Diamond Skulls category winners (Art Director, Copywriter, Designer, Director, Editor, Photographer and Sound Designer of the Year) and award the perpetual trophy to the Ultimate Diamond Skull winner.
The Diamond Skulls aim to honour the individuals who create the most inspiring creative communications in Western Australia in a given year. Unlike traditional craft categories in award shows, The Diamond Skulls will be judged on a portfolio of work created in 2015, rather than a one-off piece.
All winners will be announced during an event at Emergence Creative Festival in Margaret River on March 16-19.
3 Comments
To me it would make sense that these guys choose the finalists as well. That would change it from being a popularity contest decided by the agencies with the most PADC members to something with a bit more credibility.
@Here’s an idea
The thinking behind the Diamond Skulls is that it is a way for members to have a say in a competition. Obviously every system has its limitations, and we do everything we can to eliminate block voting. Each member has to cast three votes in each category which aids in spreading the votes. Then the work of the three finalists in each category is judged by a specialist jury of three national and international judges.
If last year is anything to go by, there would appear to be no evidence of block voting – I’m not sure who of the winners you would be suggesting wasn’t deserving? – and further the winners seemed to somewhat consistent with those that picked up gongs locally, nationally and internationally in shows such as AWARD and AGDA.
Of course there are always decisions that we disagree with, but that is the nature of the business and is certainly a feature of any award format – but generally the cream will rise to the top.
All categories were hotly contested with the vast majority of categories coming down to single votes and even those of the finalists that ‘romped it in’ were not from the businesses you’d expect.
I have a higher opinion of our membership than you; I don’t think that you could argue that the quality of last year’s finalists wasn’t representative of the best of the work being crafted in WA. And the judge’s comments bear this out.
I suggest that if you want your opinion counted, you join the Club (it’s only $60) and vote your heart out next week. And, as always, we encourage members to vote for the work they are most envious of, no matter where it originates.
It’s only an award. You can’t eat it.