Meerkats’ Hayley Read named amongst 15 finalists for 2015 APG Planning Idol awards

Meerkats planner Hayley Read (pictured) is amongst the 15-strong shortlist The Communications Council  has announced to progress to the final round of the Account Planning Group (APG) 2015 Planning Idol awards.

54 submissions were accepted and reviewed by the APG Committee, responding to a fundraising brief set by ReachOut.com. Entries are accepted in a general student category, with one finalist set to be crowned the next APG Planning Idol. The standard of entries has once again impressed this year’s judges with a stand-out selection making the shortlist.

The final round will be held at Sydney’s Bar 100 in The Rocks on Thursday November 12, at which the successful 15 will present their strategies to a panel of APG Judges and ReachOut representatives in the final day of judging.

The shortlist:

•  Molly Blacker – UM

•  Laura Brown – AJF Partnership

•  Zoe Bruce – M&C Saatchi

•  Sam Geer – UM

•  Sarah Hood – BMF

•  Eloise Lilley – Blue Hive

•  Craig McLeod – GPY&R

•  Scott Moore – VML

•  Kate Murphy – AJF Partnership

•  Shannon O’Brien – Initiative

•  Alexi Papanikitas – UM

•  Georgia Patch – Host Sydney

•  Hayley Read – Meerkats

•  Livia Stefanini – VCCP

•  Alistair Stephenson – M&C Saatchi

Brigitte Bayard, the most recent APG Planning Idol of AJF Partnership, said winning Idol has been a very rewarding and valuable experience.

“I am grateful for the support of my agency, AJF Partnership, and wish this year’s entrants the best of luck for what will be an intense but stimulating judging day.” 

The APG Planning Idolcompetition is designed to raise the profile of planning and foster new creative professionals into the discipline. Idol is part of The Communications Council’s overall program to support agency investment in talent.  

This year’s judging panel includes:

•  Angela Morris, Executive Planning Director, J Walter Thompson Australia

•  Jason Lonsdale, Executive Planning Director, Saatchi & Saatchi

•  Matt Scotten, National Strategy Director, UM

•  Carl Moggridge, Head of Strategy, Edelman Australia

•  Hugh Munro, Planning Director, BMF

•  Vanessa Morrison, Head of Qualitative Research & Strategy, Pollinate

•  Ashley de Silva, Director Marketing & Communications, ReachOut Australia

•  Naomi Buck, Head of Mentoring, UnLtd

•  Pieter-Paul von Weiler, Head of Strategy, AJF Partnership

Tickets for the award presentation are now on sale, with discounted prices for members.

For event details, please see here.

Finalist Judging & Presentation: Thursday 12 November 2015

Location: Level 4, Bar 100, 100 George St The Rocks

Tickets: APG & Communications Council members – $45; Non Members – $65