The BTAA Awards 2008: Chairman's Foreword

by Paul Silburn, chairman of the 2008 jury, Campaign 14-Mar-08

In the past couple of years, many people have been bemoaning the lower standard of work coming out of the UK. Rightly so, I think.

Well, now I'm pleased to say: "Watch out America. Watch out Argentina.
Watch out Brazil, the former Soviet republics and Burkina Faso, because
Britain is back."

This was a much better year - a viewpoint echoed by every member of the

jury. We believe we saw a greater spread of very good work than in

recent years, and an overall winner that generated enormous popularity
and fame with both the industry and the general public.

I could say it beats the drum to which British advertising can march
forwards with confidence. But that would be a bad pun, so I won't.

Where we still appear to lag behind other markets is in the areas of
web-based advertising and branded content. Although these are new
categories for BTAA, they are well established in many awards shows
globally, and much of the debate among the jury centred on these
topics.

Finally a quick word from the jury to those writing virals: Stop
resorting to knob and arse gags and gratuitously explicit garbage such
as depicting a child's birth in a store. Try writing stuff that's 1.
original and 2. that people would actually want to forward on. There's
an Arrow in it for those who heed this advice.

I'd like to thank the fantastic jury for their time, opinions and
dedication to the judging process and for the BTAA for asking me to be
chairman of the jury. It was an honour and a pleasure.

THE JURY

Richard Flintham, creative partner, Fallon London

Jane Hilton, head of marketing, Fresh Retail Ventures

Phil Rumbol, marketing director, Cadbury Trebor Basset

Tim Davie, director of marketing, communications, and audiences, BBC

Ewan Paterson, executive creative director, CHI & Partners

Anita Davis, creative director, JWT London

Andy McLeod, director, Rattling Stick

Lizie Gower, managing director, Academy

Nick Gill, creative director, Bartle Bogle Hegarty

Dougal Wilson, director, Blink Productions

Vince Squibb, director, Gorgeous Enterprises

Giles Montgomery, creative director, Grand Union

Mark Denton, director, Coy

Brian di Lorenzo, director of integrated production, BBDO New York

Philip Almond, marketing director, Diageo GB

Catherine Kehoe, brand communication manager, Lloyds TSB

Yan Elliott, joint creative director, WCRS

Lindsey Clay, head of marketing, Thinkbox

Helen Langridge, managing director, HLA

Paul Silburn, creative partner, Saatchi & Saatchi

Trevor Beattie, creative director, Beattie McGuinness Bungay.