Ireland’s Leading Creatives Gather to Ring the Bells of Change at the ICAD 2018 Awards
Today, Friday, May 25th, 2018, the bells of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin will ring for a different reason to usual - celebrating the best creative work to come out of Ireland over the past year.
The ICAD Awards, run by the Institute of Creative Advertising and Design will also be celebrating 60 years of the organisation - a non-profit, membership-led body that brings together its Irish members locally and connects them with a network of creatives across the globe.
“In our 60th anniversary year, ICAD has reflected many changes, not just within the industry but within wider society. But what has not changed is our belief in the importance of creativity and our mission to Foster, Promote and Reward creative excellence," said Rory Hamilton, ICAD President and partner / executive creative director at Boys + Girls. "That aim is just as relevant today as it was back in 1958. With lots more ICAD initiatives to come in 2018, tonight is a high point of our year where we get to celebrate the very best work that Ireland has to offer, recognising the talents and clients that keep the business thriving.”
The awards are being hosted by Panti Bliss, a notable campaigner for cultural change and the bells of Christchurch Cathedral will ring the church bells every time there’s a gold award winner, echoing across Dublin.
Rory Hamilton said: “The Catherine Donnelly award is ICAD’s first lifetime achievement award. It is named after one of Ireland’s most respected and best-loved copywriters, Catherine Donnelly. Catherine wrote ads that entered the public consciousness forming part of the fabric of our society, classics like Kerrygold’s “Who is bringing the horse to France” and the Barry’s Tea Christmas Radio ad that is enjoyed to this day. Mal Stevenson is this year’s winner."
“Mal Stevenson has 46 years’ experience in advertising. During that time, he worked in Young Advertising, McConnells and Arks before becoming creative director of Irish International (now BBDO). He has worked on some of Ireland’s best loved campaigns, famous ads for brands like Kerrygold, Aer Lingus, Powers, Budweiser and Guinness where he produced more than a decade of work that became front page news. His Guinness Christmas ad 'White Christmas' remains, to this day, a classic.”
Mal Stephenson said: "It has been very hard to win an ICAD award over the years. The standard has always been high which means that the awards themselves have always been cherished. I never expected recognition in my career, I was lucky to do a job that I love, but it is lovely when that recognition comes along. I am honoured to win an award named after Catherine Donnelly, a brilliantly talented writer who I was lucky enough to work with over many years."
