LIA Announces Chris West as 2016 Verbal Identity Jury President

The London International Awards has announced the first stand-alone jury recognizing the importance of verbal branding. 

The “Verbal Identity” jury at the 2016 LIA will focus on the assets of a brand that relate to naming, phrasing, and communications. It is being introduced as a medium for this year’s awards, after serving as a category under the Design medium in 2015.

The inaugural Jury President will be Chris West, Managing Director of the London-based brand consultancy Verbal Identity Ltd.

Chris West comments: “I am honoured to be the President of the Verbal Identity Jury at the 2016 LIA Awards, with a Jury that consists of some of the world’s most respected creators and users of powerful brand language today. Like Steve Martin said: ‘Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way.'“

Chris launched the verbal brand strategy consultancy Verbal Identity in 2013, accumulating a number of high-profile clients from the luxury goods, technology, cosmetics, brewing and automotive industries, including the House of Alexander McQueen, Fred Perry, SABMiller, Hunter and Staples. He started his career in the 90s as a highly-awarded copywriter working at Saatchi, BBH, Leagas Delaney, RKCR and Mother, and claims authorship of two ‘Billion Dollar lines’; "You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation." and Pringles' "Once you pop, you can't stop.".

Chris West - Jury President - Managing Director, Verbal Identity Ltd., London

Rachel Bernard - Vice President, Director of Verbal Strategy, CBX, New York

Sean Doyle - Owner, Panic, London

Amanda Liu - VP & Creative Director, Labbrand Brand Innovations, Shanghai

Steve Martin - Director, Eat Creative,Tokyo 

Ben Zimmer - Language Columnist, Wall Street Journal, Jersey City

The LIA 2016 Entry System is now accepting entries. The initial Entry Deadline is 10th. Judging will take place in Las Vegas from 6th October to 14th October. The shortlists will be announced as each judging session concludes, with Winners being announced 8th November. For more information on submissions and eligibility, please visit the LIA website.