Leach to chair Young Spark DMA awards
One of the biggest mouths in media is to cast his critical eye over the brightest young talent in the direct marketing industry.
Steve Leach, co-founder of Bigmouthmedia, will chair a panel of judges who will select the winner of the DMA Young Spark Award.
Set up in memory of direct marketing champion and former WAVV Rapp Collins boss, John Young, the Direct Marketing Association Scotland (DMA) run event promotes the hottest emerging talent in the sector.
Leach, a winner of International Entrepreneur of the Year and CEO of one of the world’s largest digital agencies, will be joined on the judging panel by Dave Mullen, co-founder and creative director of Story, Peter Wilde, of Experian Integrated Marketing, and Clara Avery, Macmillan Cancer Charity’s head of direct marketing and sales.
In addition to the accolade of DMA Young Spark, the winner will receive a £1000 cash prize and also receive mentoring from an industry guru specialising in the winner’s chosen field.
DMA Scotland manager, Jo Scobie, said: “John Young died tragically young at 38 but he was a great champion of young talent and a born winner with brilliant people skills who knew how to get the best out of his people.
“The Young Spark Award gives others a chance to follow in John’s footsteps and recognises those gifted employees who have the passion and determination to make the most of their talent.”
Leach added: “The theme for this years award is ‘Watch Your Back’ and we should all be both nervous and excited that the wealth of talent coming through means we could soon find our own positions under threat.
“The judges want to identify the whippersnappers who have the passion, ambition and attitude that makes them stand out and who have the kind of spark which will put them in our seats one day.”
The competition is open to nominations from agency, supplier or client companies and entrants can work in digital, direct, interactive or mobile marketing.
The closing date for entries is 1 October. For full details of the DMA Young Spark Award visit http://www.youngsparkaward.co.uk