Epica’s jury of journos

PARIS, Today: The 2021 Epica Awards – the only global creative comp judged by solely journalists – has updated its calendar and categories. The 2021 ceremony will take place on Thursday 9 December, with an earlybird entry period running from July 1 to September 1.

To mark the next edition, a new category is added: Creative Use of A.I.

Epica editorial director Mark Tungate said: “We never add categories for the sake of it – but we do like to evolve with the times.

“We’ve noticed that many agencies are experimenting with A.I. as a means of enhancing or complementing creativity, and the journalists on our jury are keen to look at projects that may arise from this emerging field.”

Epica has also merged B2B Direct and Consumer Direct into a single Direct Marketing category. Last year’s Covid 19 Communications category will remain in place – “hopefully for the last time!”

“Due to Covid , the competition is extending its eligibility dates by one year.”

The competition judged by journalists will also accept work from 2019 following pandemic disruption.

Historically, the Epica Awards only accepts work from the previous year. However, since many projects could not be presented to the jury in 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions, the competition is extending its eligibility dates by one year.

Work that has been approved by clients and used, published or broadcast since 1 July 2019 is eligible for entry to the 2021 awards.

It’s too early to say whether the awards show will be online (which at this stage seems likely), live – or a mixture of the two. There will be further updates later in the year.

Tungate: “The Epica Awards jury is composed of editors and senior reporters from the world’s leading titles covering creativity and communications. They are supported by journalists from specialist fields such as post-production, VR, design, luxury and fashion.

KEY DATES

• Early bird entry period (no registration fee): July 1 to August 31
• Normal entry period: September 1 to October 8
• Shortlist publication: November 24
• Ceremony: December 9
• A full list of jury members (including M+AD ed David Gapes) can be seen at www.epica-awards.com/jury
• More here