NZME announces 2024 Imprint Competition judges

AUCKLAND, Today: New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) heralds the return of its competition that illuminates the innovation and creativity in print advertising for its second year, announcing the distinguished panel of judges for 2024 today.

The Imprint Competition invites NZME’s agency partners to demonstrate their innovative and strategic prowess, showcasing how their campaigns maximise print advertising’s potential through creative channel use and ad placement. The prize? A trip for two to Advertising Week New York.

The 2024 judging panel comprises a diverse group of media industry veterans:

• Brad Collett – Chief Creative Officer, Federation
• Mikayla Hopkins – Head of Marketing, Tracksuit
• Simon Hofmann – General Manager, Brand and Marketing, Kiwibank
• Christie Cooper – Creative Director, The Monkeys
• Graham Dolan – Group Creative Director, NZME

“I’m a huge fan of print ads, inky little masterpieces, being able to pick up and hold your creative baby in your arms is an amazing feeling.” – Brad Collett

Margaret Hawker, NZME’s Head of Commercial Publishing and Innovation and the award’s judging facilitator, expresses pride in Imprint’s contribution to the industry. “As we continue to expand our audience and engagement, we’ve witnessed first-hand the impactful outcomes of outstanding print advertising, strengthening brand awareness and lasting recall, which is hugely beneficial for our advertising clients. We’re looking forward to seeing some exceptional entries in 2024 and I’m sure our judges will have their work cut out for them in selecting a winner.”

Brad Collett comments on the enduring appeal of print ads, “I’m a huge fan of print ads, inky little masterpieces, being able to pick up and hold your creative baby in your arms is an amazing feeling. And I’m excited that print advertising has undergone significant changes over the years, adapting to shifts in technology, consumer behaviour, and cultural trends, is the rebirth of print advertising.”

Mikayla Hopkins looks forward to the competition, saying, “Print is such an effective medium for building brand and storytelling. I’m looking forward to judging this year’s NZME Imprint Competition and celebrating the power of print advertising alongside all the extremely talented marketers and creatives across the country.”

Last year, OMD and McDonald’s clinched the Imprint win with their innovative ‘cheesy’ takeover of The New Zealand Herald. A slice of McDonald’s cheese covered the front page in a campaign by DDB, a striking celebration of McDonald’s iconic ingredient, captivating readers and triggering appetites nationwide.

• Entries for NZME’s Imprint Competition are now open and will close on Monday 20 May 2024. To participate, visit imprint.nz (Terms and Conditions apply).