LIA event features Eardrum founder, Ralph van Dijk

Van Dijk will also act as the program's moderator, injecting his appreciation of powerful production and performance into bridging together this year's eclectic line-up of speakers.

"It's always an honour to be invited to speak at Creative LIAisons. The programme is one of our industry's most generous initiatives and, if you are an ambitious creative, it is like getting a backstage pass to the ultimate advertising gig," says van Dijk.

Radio authority

Van Dijk is a world authority on radio advertising. He started his career as an agency writer in 1987, winning a Clio Award for one of his first radio ads. He got the hint and has specialised in radio ever since. He co-founded Eardrum in London in 1990 and has since launched a new office in Australia. Eardrum is now the most awarded radio and audio agency in the world, producing innovative radio campaigns, imaging and branded content for advertisers, agencies and radio networks around the world.

He will speak to more than 100 young creatives attending the fourth annual Creative LIAisons programme (formerly known as 'Creative Conversations'), which runs concurrently with the LIA judging in Las Vegas and is the LIA's way of giving back to the industry. This mentoring programme is fully funded by LIA, encompassing travel, accommodations, rewarding speaker presentations, a peek into the statue deliberations and various networking opportunities with jurors and speakers in a relaxed social setting.

For more information, go to www.liaawards.com.