TOM ESLINGER NAMED CANNES CYBER LIONS JURY PRESIDENT

Tom Eslinger, Worldwide Creative Director – Interactive & Emerging Media, Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand, will chair this year’s Cannes Cyber Lions jury.

Eslinger, who spearheads Saatchi & Saatchi’s fast-growing worldwide interactive capability, works both from New Zealand and Los Angeles with a worldwide focus on a network of clients across interactive, creative, strategy and operations, and an LA focus with respect to client Toyota USA to develop interactive and other new media initiatives and programmes.

“Tom is an expert at interactive communication and embraces new media wholeheartedly. Having judged previously in Cannes, he’s also seen first hand the creative evolution of this category at an international level, positioning him well for this role”, said Festival Executive Chairman, Terry Savage.

Originally from North Dakota, Eslinger has been a Creative Director of Interactive for Saatchi & Saatchi since joining Saatchi’s Wellington, in 1998. He has a role on the Worldwide Creative Board of Saatchi & Saatchi to drive market share and consumer involvement through web, e-commerce, mobile, games, rich media, viral and all emerging mediums.

His awards include six Cannes Lions, four of which are Cyber Lions, as well as being awarded for his interactive work by D&AD, One Show, Clio, Effies, New York, London International Festivals, Type Directors Club, Future Marketing Awards, AXIS (NZ) and AWARD in Australia. Tom has judged extensively throughout the US, Europe and Australasia. This is hiss third Cannes jury, having served on the 2002 Cyber and 2006 Titanium juries.

“I’m honoured, humbled and psyched. Interactive and integration are top of mind and at long last, everyone is getting into the space. Cyber Lions will be where creatives can walk their talk”, says Eslinger on his appointment.

Eslinger lives in Auckland and Los Angeles, haunting local comic shops and snowfields, snowboard under arm.

Since its launch in 1998, Cyber Lions has become one of the fastest growing categories in Cannes.