ASIA-PACIFIC – SINGAPORE, OCTOBER 5, 2012 – Many award shows seek to recognize great work. But few award shows seek to recognize bold and daring work.
Such is the aim of the Gong 2012-Creative Circle Awards. Now on its third decade, the show comes back with a new format which recognizes the people with creative courage in the industry, those who are bold enough to raise the creative bar for Singapore; the clients who are courageous enough to buy and run the work; the planners who show fearlessness in risking new strategies; the directors, producers, photographers and designers who possess the guts to be original and different.
“Creativity does not belong to the creative department. It is about stepping out of our comfort zone, daring to take risks and do something bold and unexpected. Collaboration of creative talents produces produces differentiation in great work,” said Tay Guan Hin, chairman & jury president of Gong 2012 and regional executive creative director of JWT.
Bringing ‘creative’ back
The sheer number of award shows may have resulted in the production of most client-pleasing work but the Gong 2012 seeks to reverse that. In a letter, Hin stated the current state of award shows in the region.
“Regional creative shows, effectiveness shows and those focused on clients have meant a busy awards season calendar. Slowly eroding away the importance of a local creative show. A show judged by only creatives with only one agenda – to push the standards of local creativity by celebrating the best of Singapore’s commercial creativity,” Hin writes.
Through the awards show, Hin seeks to give back life to creativity and provide a stage for younger creatives to shine as “it is these creatives who will make Singapore proud as they mature into well-rounded leaders”.
Organized by The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore, more known as the 4As, Gong 2012 recognizes creative talents who have put Singapore on the global map, champions clients who were brave enough to push the limits of creativity, honors unsung heroes and young talents who have helped to grow Singapore’s creative industry. As part of its mission “Gong gives back”, internationally renowned creative Kash Shree, Agnello Dias and Thirasak Tanapatanakul will be conducting workshops for young copywriters, art directors, tertiary students and college graduates.
New awards for the inaugural year include Entertainment & Branded Content, Creative Client of the Year, Agency Producer of the Year, Director of the Year, Young Designer of the Year, Young Photographer of the Year, Production Company of the Year. A distinguished jury panel comprising some of the biggest names in the local, regional and international creative community has been assembled to judge the awards.
Gong 2012 is already accepting entries until October 15, 2012; judging will commence on October 29-31 and the awards show and party will be on November 21.
