New York Festivals 2015 Torch Awards mentors include execs from Havas and AKQA
The Torch Awards, New York Festival’s competition for young creative talent under 25, has announced its mentors for this year. Rodger Beekman, chief creative officer of Havas Worldwide Amsterdam and Duan Evans, international executive creative director of AKQA UK are two of the five judges that will lead each of the selected finalist teams in an intensive mentoring session.
The other mentors include: Pancho González, chief creative officer and co-founder of Inbrax Chile; Masako Okamura, executive creative director of Dentsu Vietnam; and Melvin Mangada, managing partner and chief creative officer of TBWA SMP Philippines.
Each mentor will help their team perfect a 60-second spot pitch for a creative campaign to promote the mission of The Project Solution, and international non-profit.
Pancho González commented on the importance of mentoring the next generation of creative talent. “The future of this business is based on new generations of advertising professionals. If every senior professional spent a little time with those creatives, the result will be better advertising tomorrow.”
The five teams will be announced on 31 March. Finalist Teams will convene in New York City on 20 May to present their pitch, and the winning team will be announced live at the New York Show gala on 21 May.