Why is it important that we continue to hold the BIMA Awards?
BIMA was one of the first trade bodies to truly recognise the potential that digital and interactive would have to transform the British advertising industry. For this reason, BIMA continues to be an authority, providing these awards with more authenticity than others in the field
Why did you accept the invitation to be a BIMA Awards jury member?
To be inspired by the best talent that the industry has to offer. In the form of the only thing that really matters, the work.
What are the key traits that make a BIMA Award winner?
Ingenuity, creativity and the ability to think about what’s next, rather than what’s now.
This year we’ve widened the scope of the awards with more categories and broader definitions. Why do you think that matters?
As the digital world continues to evolve and become completely integrated in our lives, the ways in which brands can reach us also exands. For this reason it is only natural that categories would expand and become less narrowly defined.
What do entrants have to do to make you sit up and say ‘wow’?
Any work that can seem both fresh and unexpected, while being so simple you wonder why you hadn’t thought of it yourself.
The Grand Jury prizes will require you to select one winner in each category from 6 worthy winners. How do you begin to separate the field?
Often the work separates itself. The truly great work naturally distinguishes itself from the rest.
Pick any one of this year’s main categories (Communications & Content; Data & Performance Marketing; Emerging Technology; Transformation & Consultancy; Product & Service Design; Website & Apps). Explain why that category has particular importance/significance/resonance for you.
Product and Service Design. At its heart, Spotify is only differentiated from its competitors by its quality as a product, so this award certainly strikes a chord.