Another Fresh Creative Year all over…..
So, that’s it then for 2009. We approached this years awards with the view that whilst times are tough, it is even more important to celebrate creative success and innovative thinking. No point in hiding your lights under a bushel so to speak!
We ditched the traditional black tie, back slapping, dinner do in order to make the awards more cost effective and to really concentrate on what is important – the work. And, we might just have pulled it off. Over 400 of you thought so anyway.
The programme this year started in May with a call for entries, backed by some fabulous creative from The Chase in Manchester, at a new reduced rate, and over 200 companies the length and breadth of the country (outside of the M25 of course) entered this year which is a record for Fresh. And whilst entries were only up a teeny tiny amount, it was quality not quantity which was the recurring theme.
Over a hectic few days in August, our judges assembled and made the all important call on the work – and just 32 companies made the grade to be shortlisted.
We have had some big winners this year – namely The Chase – and not for any work for Fresh we hasten to add, but some beautifully designed pieces including a self promotional booklet which scooped the Big F for the second consecutive year.
BJL also did themselves proud with work for Eurocamp and The Lowry particularly at the forefront of their success, and Bray Leino in Bristol also scooped some great gongs on the night with work for Sustrans featuring well – with a long list of other great ad agencies and design outfits also collecting numerous gongs.
So, a tough year it may have been, but a productive one by our reckoning. If you can deliver great work when times are tight, just think what you can do once the climate improves. We can’t wait!
We will be back next year. Not sure about the format, the venue or the structure of the programme but that’s the great thing about Fresh. The Big F winning work this year was called Bending the Rules. And we might just do a little of that ourselves next year.
Cheerio!
PS. If you didn’t make the do this year then check out – life as a Graphic Designer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfprIxNfCjk
PPS. If you fancy having a crack at our creative concept next year drop a note to paula@freshawards.co.uk