Amir Kassaei, CCO, DDB Worldwide Returns To Chair the LIA Integration Jury

11 April 2013

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Press Release
11^th April 2013

 Amir is one of the most lauded creatives in the world. He likes to say “Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion.” He firmly believes that if one has passion, will and courage, one can change the world for the better. Of our business, he says, “It has never been just about advertising. Our business is marketing products, companies and relevant services – and one of our vehicles is advertising.”

Born in Iran, raised in Austria, and educated in France, Amir settled in Germany in 1997, gaining experience early in his career in a variety of roles ranging from Account Manager to Strategic Planner to Art Director and Designer at agencies such as TBWA, Barci & Partner and Springer & Jacoby. At Springer & Jacoby, Amir advanced from Copywriter to Creative Director and finally to Executive Creative Director on the global Mercedes-Benz and smart accounts. In 2003, Amir joined DDB as Chief Creative Officer and Associate Partner of DDB Germany, where he quickly helped reshape the agency. After joining the agency as the youngest DDB Chief Creative Officer in Europe, he quickly transformed it into one of the most creative and successful agencies in Germany. Under Amir’s leadership, DDB Germany has also been ranked the most awarded German agency in the Gunn Report.

In February 2011, Amir was appointed DDB Worldwide Chief Creative Officer. Amir has worked on behalf of an impressive range of the world’s major brands, including Allianz, Apple, Adidas, Bosch, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Nike, Reebok and Volkswagen.

 “What we once called Integrated Campaign, which was defined as creatively communicating a message through multiple media platforms, is now redefined and renamed. Amir championed this change and it is appropriate that he steers the judging process at this metamorphic stage, said Barbara Levy, President of LIA. As Amir stated when he chaired in 2012, “Integration is no longer about having the craftsmanship to adapt an idea for different platforms, but about creatively integrating ideas into society on a multi-dimensional level.”

Of his appointment Amir said, “The London International Awards prove every year to be one of the most outstanding award shows in the industry; a very professional team and a great jury which produces great results and gives a great outlook of where the industry is heading and where the bar is.”

 

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28^th London International Awards Judging and ‘Creative Conversations’
4^th – 12^th October 2013, Las Vegas

 LIA has established itself as a revolutionary global competition, celebrating creativity, the power of ideas and new technology in all forms of Advertising, Digital and Design. Defining its 28-year history, Barbara Levy, Founder and President of LIA, continues her innovative leadership, meeting the demands of our ever-changing industry. Launched in 1986 with a mission to be different, LIA was the first truly international award, accepting entries in Television, Print and Radio media from around the world. LIA now accepts entries into thirteen unique media types.

LIA Educational Initiative: In 2012, LIA launched the Junior 'Creative Conversations' programme targeted to Young Creative’s from around the globe. As a way to give back to the industry, LIA coordinated a week of seminars, conversations, lunches and dinners that were educational and stimulated discussions around the future of Advertising. The entire initiative, including travel, meals and hotel expenses, was fully funded by LIA.

The 2012 'Creative Conversations' speakers included: Ted Royer, Susan Credle, Israel Diaz, Sonal Dabral, Tony Calcao, Jeremy Craigen, Faris Yakob, Neil French, Doerte Spengler-Ahrens, Bob Garfield, Jonathon Ker, Ralph van Dijk, Scott Elias and Phil Growick.

In 2013, 'Creative Conversations' will once again take place at Wynn/Encore, Las Vegas during the week of the LIA Judging Sessions. Seventy carefully selected Junior Creative’s from around the globe will attend this intimate, invitation-only event.

LIA will open their Entry System in May with a final deadline at the end of July.

For further information please visit www.liaawards.com or contact:

Rebecca Morgan – Head of PR and Marketing

London International Awards

179 Wardour Street, 3rd Floor, London W1F 8WY, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 20 8426 1670; E-mail: beccy@liaawards.com