Arnya Karaitiana’s LIA Diary #1: Insights and soundbites from the first day of judging
Arnya Karaitiana, Creative Director at Special is representing New Zealand on the LIA Non-Traditional jury. Karaitiana, along with many other New Zealand and Australian jurors, reports exclusively for CB.
Today was the first day of judging at the London International Awards in Las Vegas, where I joined the Non-Traditional jury. 270 entries. 270 case studies. One long, inspiring, jet-lagged blur.
Our jury is a collection of voices from all over the world — France, Japan, Peru, Los Angeles, Germany, New York, the Philippines, and me, from Aotearoa New Zealand. A mix of cultures, perspectives, and experiences, all coming together in one room to reflect on where creativity is heading.
Day one wasn’t about declaring winners. It was about listening, learning, and celebrating the diversity of thinking and unique ways of communicating. The conversation was fluid, energised, sometimes sharp, sometimes humorous.
I thought it would be interesting to take soundbites from the commentary in the jury room — these were some comments that were interesting for me and ideas I drew intrigue to:
‘Non-Traditional is… What’s next.
‘Creative is King. Yet strategy is Queen’…she breathe life into every creative idea.
‘Remember to be human, be present, Ai has the ability to learns from what’s been created…but Creatives shape what comes next.’
‘Gotta get through to get to.’
‘Don’t get in your head, get to the point’
‘I need a creative solution for my sleepiness.’
‘No time difference here. It’s Vegas.’
It felt like a tapestry of insights — part philosophy, part pep talk, part comedy. What it highlighted for me is that “Non-Traditional” is less about rules and more about energy, curiosity, and daring to push into spaces where newness lives. A good day to remind ourselves to be bold, give things texture, always add nuance…believe in your ability, where you come from and who you are.
Tomorrow, the debates will sharpen as we start shaping gold, silver, and bronze. But for today, it was enough just to take it all in.