New York Festivals announces inaugural executive jury president

It is an incredible honour to be asked to be the first ever jury president of the prestigious New York Festivals. As the jury president I want to encourage the judges to award work that not only actively engages consumers but also achieves results. But my hope is to go even further than that. Bill Bernbach once said, ‘All of us who professionally use the mass media are the shapers of society. We can vulgarise that society. We can brutalise it. Or we can help lift it onto a higher level.’ We’ll be looking for work that works. But, more importantly, we’ll be looking for work that lifts creativity and, indeed, society to a higher plane. – Eastwood

Eastwood brings creativity, leadership skills as well as bona fide executive jury experience to his role as jury president. Having served three terms on NYF’s executive jury, Eastwood truly understands the creative demands of judging all finalist entries across all mediums.

A highly awarded creative leader and a founding member of the recently formed New York Festivals Advisory Board, Eastwood’s sage advice and industry expertise were influential in piloting the competition’s recent transformation.

“We are beyond thrilled to have Matt as our inaugural executive jury president,” said Susan Glass Ruse, executive director of New York Festivals Advertising Awards. “His reputation as an inspiring leader, groundbreaking creative and all round good guy makes him the perfect choice to lead the judging sessions. Matt is truly collaborative, and we are lucky to have his ongoing support in our shared goal of evolving and improving New York Festivals. We are excited to have his expertise, working together with his highly-regarded peers, to ensure that great work from around the globe is recognised and awarded.”

Formerly the worldwide chief creative officer of J. Walter Thompson, Eastwood was described by Britain’s Campaign magazine as a “unicorn” in the communications industry, having overseen some of the most innovative and recognisable creative projects in advertising today.

Eastwood’s career has spanned numerous agencies, specialties and countries, including Australia, the UK and US. He was a founding partner of M&C Saatchi in Australia before joining DDB Australia as national creative director and vice chairman. Following that post he moved in 2010 to serve as chief creative officer for DDB New York.

Throughout his career he has racked up unprecedented achievements including being named the 5th most awarded Chief Creative Officer worldwide in AdAge's 2013 Award's Report. In 2016, Eastwood led J. Walter Thompson to an historic year at Cannes, winning a total of 80 Lions—more than the agency had ever won in their 150-year history. Additional accolades and honors include: Campaign Brief Agency of the Year, Clio Health Network of the Year, Australian Creative Hotshop, AdNews Agency of the Year, Creativity’s Agency to Watch, B&T Agency of the Year, Spikes Network of the Year, and Campaign magazine Network of the Year.

Eastwood and the executive jury of 22 chief creative officers from around the globe will convene for 5 days during the executive jury judging sessions taking place in New York City 29 April to 3 May to review the finalist entries selected by NYF’s online grand jury. The 2019 competition entry deadline is 31 January. Find out how to enter here.