Lorenzo de Rita Top Judge for 25th AXIS Awards

Top Creative Director Lorenzo de Rita from Fuel Europe is Chairman of Judges for 25th AXIS Awards.

The 25th CAANZ AXIS Awards judging team will this year be led by top European creative director, Lorenzo de Rita, from Fuel Europe (EuroRSCG Group) based in Amsterdam.

He joins the home team of David Walden, Managing Director of Whybin TBWA who is Chairman of the AXIS Committee and DDB's Creative Director Paul Catmur as Convenor of Judges.

As Creative Director of Fuel Europe, Lorenzo has led the creation of the Pan-European and Global Campaigns for Volvo Cars, such as 'The Mystery of Dalaro', 'Route V50' and 'Life on Board Project'.

Lorenzo began his distinguished career in the business with McCann Erickson in Rome and since then has also worked at DDB, Wieden+Kennedy and KesselsKramer throughout Europe. His work on accounts such as Diesel Jeans, Fila Sportswear, Adidas, Volkswagen, Audi and Heineken is world-renowned.

"Everyone who has spent any time with Lorenzo is aware of what a passionate and principled advertising man he is. I served with him on the Clio jury last year and he really impressed me with the conviction of his views and his belief in the responsibility of advertising both to our clients and our public," said Convenor of Judges, Paul Catmur, Creative Director from DDB.

"We're very lucky indeed to have secured Lorenzo as Convenor of Judges for the 2005 AXIS Awards. He must like it down here." said Mr Catmur.

It's not Lorenzo's first visit to New Zealand. He was here as a guest of the Newspaper Advertising Bureau last year, holding a number of creative seminars around the country.

And this year's AXIS awards looks set to be one of the biggest in its long history. Awards entries are considerably up on last year - from 868 in 2004 to 986 in 2005.

The 2005 awards will also be special for two other reasons. CAANZ and the AIPA (Advertising and Illustrative Photographers Association) are working together to encourage increased participation from its members.

And NZ Post has come on board as sponsors of a new category - Grande AXIS Direct. NZ Post now sponsors all six direct categories in the AXIS Awards.

Judging commences Wednesday the 20th of April with Creative Director, Ros Sinclair, from Whybin TBWA, Sydney (previously at BBH in London and Creative Director of BMF in Sydney) lending more weight to the already strong panel of judges.

Lorenzo will be the special guest at a CAANZ creative forum to be held on April 27.

Where: Coast Bar & Lounge, Level 7 Hewlett & Packard Building, Princes Wharf, Auckland When: Wednesday the 27th of April 2005 6.30 pm

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