Effies 2023 rolls out

AUCKLAND Monday: The First Five Rungs has announced the FFR shadow judges for the 2023 Effie Awards in Association with TVNZ. Shadow judging is the first stage of The Comms Council selection programme.

They are Stephanie Fairey (Bastion Shine), Lydia Sleeman Bailey (The Monkeys NZ), Caitlin Know (Dentsu), Zoë MacDonald-Mair (Quantum Jump), Jeremy Sinniah (Special), Kirsten Bray (YoungShand), Chelsea Knowles (Motion Sickness), Alexandra Fenwick (VMLY&R), Sinead McLeod (Stanley St) and Tayler Gover (OMD Wellington). 

Aroha Gell, chair of FFR in the Capital, said: “The FFR shadow judging programme was incredibly competitive and the support across the advertising landscape has shown the programme’s potential to expand across Axis and Beacons.

“Providing more opportunities for those in their first five years across the industry, to learn more about the judging process early in their careers. 

“We couldn’t be more stoked with the positive reception this programme has had. With a mīharo selection of people to kick off the pilot, we’ve been reassured more opportunities are on the horizon.

“The range of participants will allow a deeper understanding of the judging of award-winning work.”

“Giving industry newcomers better opportunities earlier in their career is ultimately why FFR exists. Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua (those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead).

“The collective of FFR shadow judges chosen for this panel represent a range of different agencies.

“FFR believes that the range of participants will allow a deeper understanding of the judging of award-winning work, so as not to replicate, but create revolutionary work that breaks the mould from an industry newcomer perspective.”

Efffie dates
The Comms Council will announce the 2023 Effies schedule “later”

About The Comms Council Young Leadership Group & FFR
The group has identified an essential need for the industry – to connect with and support new talent in order to futureproof the industry. The First Five Rungs is their project arm, under which the YLG members have committed their personal time, resource and support of one another to create initiatives to demonstrate how valued ‘newbies’ are in the advertising industry.

• commscouncil.nz/first-five-rungs
• commscouncil.nz/effie