Wunderman Thompson Sydney + DDB Sydney lead Aussie pack at shortlist stage of Gerety Awards

After three weeks of intense judging in 10 capital cities with some of the world’s most esteemed creatives, the Gerety Awards has announced its shortlist. Australia has scored nine shortlists led by DDB Sydney and Wunderman Thompson Sydney with three shortlists apiece.

Wunderman Thompson Sydney has picked up three shortlists for Berlie ‘I Touch Myself Project: Serena Williams’, whilst DDB Sydney has scored been shortlisted for Westpac ‘Ari’, Foxtel ‘Grave of Thrones’ and Volkswagen ‘UnFail’.

Cummins&Partners Melbourne has been shortlisted twice for The Australian Red Cross Blood Service ‘She Gives Birth, You Give Blood’ and Plan International ‘Walk Like a Woman’.

CHE Proximity has scored a finalist for Velocity Frequent Flyers ‘#Earnbassadors’.

Launched this January, The Gerety Awards is challenging the status quo of the awards circuit through its jury.

Says Lucía Ongay, co-founder: “The executive judging sessions were riveting and without doubt this shortlist will set a benchmark for all other award shows this year. We were excited to see what our jury would pick and how it will compare with other industry events. 80% of all global purchasing decisions are made by women so you would hope that advertising always has these most powerful consumers in mind.”

Entries from more than 30 countries competed for the first Gerety Awards.

There were shortlisted winners from: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, UK and USA.

The most awarded shortlisted countries include USA, UK, Germany and Spain:

– USA has 37 shortlisted entries
– UK has 15 shortlisted entries
– Germany has 13 shortlisted entries
– Spain has 13 shortlisted entries

The most awarded shortlisted networks include BBDO, VMLY&R, Mullen Lowe and Leo Burnett:

– BBDO Network has 27 shortlisted entries
– MullenLowe Network has 14 shortlisted entries
– Leo Burnett Network has 15 shortlisted entries
– VMLY&R Network has 14 shortlisted entries

There were 149 shortlisted entries and the most awarded shortlisted agencies include BBDO New York, Edelman UK, Leo Burnett Toronto and Mullen Lowe SSP3:

– BBDO New York has 14 shortlisted entries
– Edelman has 8 shortlisted entries
– Leo Burnett Toronto has 7 shortlisted entries
– Mullen Lowe SSP3 has 7 shortlisted entries

Most shortlisted campaigns include Petal Paint, for JAT Holdings from Leo Burnett Toronto, Viva La Vulva for Essity Bodyform/Libresse by AMVBBDO, and Fresh Prints for Aldi by McCann Madrid, Spain.

There were no shortlisted entries in the Pharma and Portfolio CUT.

Says Ongay: “Although there were some great entries in these Cuts our jury felt they were not strong enough. Only the very best work will be awarded with a Gerety.”

Says Aussie expat Genevieve Hoey, executive jury member and group ECD at R/GA: “The Gerety Awards was a room of super diverse senior creatives, passionately debating work and ideas. It should be irrelevant to know that we were all women. But it’s not. Awards shows like The Gerety matter to our industry right now. Elevating new female voices in the discourse on creativity, including more seats at the table to discuss what work should be celebrated-or not – will positively shape the future of a more diverse and inclusive industry we can all be proud to work in.”

Says Lixaida Lorenzo, executive jury, GCD at David & Goliath: “Judging at the Gerety Awards was refreshing. It was a room filled with talented creative leaders that were genuinely just about making sure only extraordinary ideas rose to the top. The room was mostly on the same page on what was really great and what was really not. No politics to navigate. “

Says ambassador and grand jury member Tista Sen, regional creative director, Wunderman Thompson South Asia: “The Gerety Awards in spearheading this announces an all new way in which creative work is perceived. Judging work with women across the table is a whole new learning experience. The entire experience was fun, insightful with a nuanced discussion. And yes, we all fell in love with advertising all over again.”

The Grand jury will now choose the final winners which will be announced at the end of July.

Find out more at www.geretyawards.com

VIEW THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS