Chris Smith, creative group head for The Richards Group, to lead LIA 2013 Radio jury

Chris Smith, Creative Group Head of the largest American independent agency, The Richards Group, will Chair the 2013 Radio Jury in Las Vegas later this year.

Joining Smith on the Radio Jury Panel are:

Ralph van Dijk – Founding Creative Director – Eardrum, Sydney

Terry O’Reilly – Co-Founder – Pirate Radio & Television, Toronto

Jill Cheris – Executive Producer – Bar1, New York 

Jo McCrostie – Creative Director – Global Radio, London

In his nearly two decades in advertising, Smith (pictured left) has written for some of America’s best-known brands, including Motel 6, Zales, The Home Depot, 7-Eleven, Red Lobster and Chick-fil-A. His work has garnered him shiny paperweights from Communication Arts and The One Show, plus some Emmys, Effies, Clios, Addys, and a few other things that end in “–ies”. He has been fortunate enough to have his name engraved as Writer or Creative Director on four Radio Mercury Awards, including the $100,000 Grand Prize in 2009.

Smith has moonlighted as an improv and stand-up comedian and voice-over performer for over 15 years. He has written articles for mental_floss magazine and jokes for television. He has also co-authored three books of Trivia published by HarperCollins. Speaking of trivia, he is also a two-time Jeopardy! champion. And, like most admen over 40, he is in a rock band and working on a couple of screenplays.

“As a member of the LIA Radio Jury in 2012, I knew I was going to leave the judging process impressed. What I wasn’t prepared for was that I’d be so inspired. So much good work, so many interesting ways to use radio. I felt really energized (although I pretended to be all jaded and over it in front of the other judges). Speaking of the other judges, it was a great group. True kindred spirits; it was just a great experience all the way around. Being asked to Chair the jury for 2013 is a huge honour, and I’m looking forward to a whole new batch of ideas I’ll wish I’d come up with,” said Smith.

“Chris’ input at the 2012 judging was invaluable and if you ask any of his fellow jury members, they would agree that he is the perfect candidate to Chair the Radio Jury this year. Chris is extremely humble for such a talented, experienced and highly awarded individual. We are honoured to have him lead the exceptionally talented Radio Jury as they gather in Las Vegas from all corners of the globe.” stated Barbara Levy, President and owner of LIA.

LIA Educational Initiative: In 2012, LIA announced the launch of its ‘Creative Conversations’ program targeted to Young Creatives from around the globe. As a way to give back to the very industry that has made LIA a trailblazer across the awards landscape, LIA coordinated a week of seminars, ‘conversations’, lunches and dinners that were both educational and stimulated discussions around the future of Advertising.

In 2013, ‘Creative Conversations’ will once again take place at Encore/Wynn Las Vegas during the week of the October 2013 LIA Judging Sessions. The entire initiative, including travel, meals and hotel expenses, is fully funded by LIA.

Only seventy attendees from around the globe will be invited to this intimate, invitation-only event. LIA has communicated word of the ‘Creative Conversations’ to various global agency networks, independent agencies, production companies, associations and media outlets. The managers of these companies and associations will chose individuals for the exclusive opportunity to experience LIA’s educational initiative.

The leaders of the ‘Creative Conversations’ in 2012 included: Ted Royer, Susan Credle, Israel Diaz, Sonal Dabral, Tony Calcao, Jeremy Craigen, Faris Yakob, Neil French, Phil Growick, Doerte Spengler-Ahrens, Bob Garfield, Jonathon Ker, Ralph van Dijk and Scott Elias.