SCED congratulates award-winning advertising agency (with photos)

  

The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, today (July 7) met the Managing Director and Executive Creative Director of McCann Worldgroup, Mr Spencer Wong, to congratulate the advertising agency on its "Paper Battlefield" poster series winning the Grand Prix award from over a thousand entries in the design category at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.  

"This is the first time Hong Kong has won this international design top prize.  It demonstrates that the design capabilities of our advertising talent are on a par with the international standard,” Mrs Lau said.

“I sincerely hope the advertising industry will continue to create quality works for the appreciation of the public, and for participation in international contests to showcase Hong Kong’s creativity and to explore business opportunities. The Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) office will provide full support in this regard.”  

She stressed that the Government would strive to foster the development of the advertising industry in order to promote Hong Kong as a creative capital in the region.  The Government is discussing with the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong (HK4As) co-organising international advertising award events. It will also financially support the sector to participate in global contests.  

Mr Wong, who is also the Creative Chairman of HK4As, said, “I am very grateful that the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau is very open-minded and supportive of a number of our initiatives.  I believe that this Grand Prix award is a timely and great incentive for more collaboration and support for our local advertising talent to realise their potential.”

The CreateHK office, set up in June, has jointly launched with HK4As schemes for the provision of 50 places each to university students as one-year trainees or two-month summer interns.  The initiative offers a good opportunity for the youngsters to learn more about the advertising industry and gain valuable work experience. It also helps the sector discover and nurture creative talent.

Since its inception in the 1950s, the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival has been a major event for the advertising industry.  The Lions awards are divided into 11 categories in accordance with different media.  This year’s design category had received 1,139 entries from more than 60 countries and regions.  For more details about the “Paper Battlefield” poster series and the award, please visit (www.mccannhk.com/bbl) and (http://work.canneslions.com/design).

Ends/Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:38