DDB Sydney and JWT lead the pack at finalist stage for the 2010 APG Awards; The Brand Agency and Gatecrasher finalists from Perth

DDB Sydney picked up fiveshortlists, and JWT four, while Saatchi & Saatchi, The CampaignPalace and Host picked up two shortlists each.

SMART,GPY&R Sydney GPY&R Melbourne, Leo Burnett Sydney, M&CSaatchi, BMF, Naked, The Brand Agency, Euro RSCG, Ward 6, andGatecrasher Advertising each picked up a finalist.

The Brand Agency’s finalist is for Curtin University’s ‘The Box’ andGatecraher’s is for Queensland Health ‘Health Promotion’ (click imageleft to enlarge the full list of finalists).

“Greatstrategic thinking is always important, but never more so than indifficult economic times. That’s why we’ve had a record number ofentries, many of which are of the highest quality. We’ll have to makesome tough decisions next week,” said Jon Steel, Chairman of Judges.

TheAPG is powered by the Communications Council and the awards play acentral role in the Council’s efforts to promote the value of marketingcommunications to clients and the broader business community.

“Besidesthe obvious chance of getting awarded for outstanding planning,entering these awards assists in educating our wider industry on thecontribution strategic planning makes to great communications,” saidDaniel Leesong, CEO of the Communications Council.

The secondround of Judging is taking place on the 27th of October. The Awardnight is planned for Thursday the 25th of November.

The Creative Strategy Awards Call for Entry was launched with the help of the team from Host, designing the “What is it that Planners and Strategists actually do?” campaign.

Theawards are proudly sponsored by Sandy Oldham Consulting, BWM, BMF,Inspire Foundation, DDB, The Seed, Red Spider and Digital Edge.

More information on the Awards can be found here.

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