Down to the wire

AUCKLAND, Today: DDB has collected 22 finalist spots for Effie 2020, ahead of TBWA with 11, Dentsu nine, Saatchi & Saatchi eight, Stanley St seven, Special Group six and Pitchblack three.

MBM, Clemenger BBDO, OMD, WiTH Collective (a Dentsu company) have two apiece, with one finalist spot going to Hello, Energy, Goodman Fielder, True, Ecostore, the NZ Marketing Association, and VMLY&R.

Strangely absent from the finals list is Colenso BBDO – usually a big hitter in this league (last year they scored 20 finalists).

A panel of 100 industry peers judged the preliminary round this year, selecting just over 80 finalists from the 19 Effie categories.

“Strangely absent from the list is Colenso BBDO – usually a big hitter in this league (20 finalists last year).”

Convenor Simon Lendrum said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many entries from organisations and brands that demonstrate the concrete value that great marketing campaigns deliver back to New Zealand business.

“In tough times, the Effies clearly illustrate the impact of creativity on business results.”

All Gold Effie category winners will be eligible for the Grand Effie, which is awarded to the campaign that achieved the most extraordinary commercial results for its client.

This year’s executive judging panel is:

• Michael Healy, chief marketing officer at Meridian Energy
• Rachel Ellerm, national marketing director at Lion
• Suraiya Phillimore-Smith, marketing lead at Westpac
• Jonathan Waecker, chief customer officer at The Warehouse Group
• Bridget Lamont, chief customer officer at Loyalty
• Craig Irwin, MD at Iri Worldwide
• Jonathan Symons, marketing director at TVNZ.

“The awards show – scheduled for Eden Park in four weeks, on Thursday 29 October – has yet to be confirmed. A virtual awards show now looks likely.”

• View the full finalist list here