#Loeries2016: Year of the chicken

The jury panel had great chemistry and diversity, just authentic commitment to celebrating the work. Our international jury chair, Laura Jordan-Bambach is such an incredible lady, just to spend time as fellow creative humans with these absolute legends is a very special thing.

It has been reaffirmed for me how incredible South African talent is. World-class, but actually it’s not about trying to be world class. It’s about being ourselves. For me, the best work was the work that could only be made here. Work that is so relevant and emotionally resonant to this incredible place we find ourselves in. There is so much inspiration here so many problems design can help to solve, so many stories that need and people that must be grown and celebrated.

Obviously, winning a Grand Prix is a highlight! Not just a Loeries 2016 highlight, a life highlight. We are so proud that the real, meaningful work that is used every day in the big world, won. We are so happy that design won. For us, design and innovation are one thing.

I feel there has been a shift (and maybe this is more in my own head) to doing stuff that matters. Doing well by doing good. Categories like shared value are becoming more and more important.

It was the year of the chicken, with four of the eight Grands Prix going to chicken restaurants. We are particularly happy for our amazing client, Nando’s, scooping two of those up for authentic, incredible work they do in growing South African talent.