Alan Weitzman of the Weitzman agency was honored with the DC Ad Club’s Silver Medal Award. Probably half of the 120-plus attendees either worked at the agency or were former employees of Weitzman – including Mike August, Rebecca Chanin, Dan Rosenthal and Chuck Husak. Husak, currently creative director of August, Lang Husak, described Weitzman as part David Ogilvy, part David Bowie and part Billy the Kid. Husak commmented that Weitzman really did not have any hobbies or other outside interests other than advertising. He did and still does live to create good advertising. Weitzman described advertising as the WD-40 of business. He noted that his favorite client over his many years in business is Euro Motor Cars.
A panel discussing the experience at this year’s Cannes Lions moderated by Betsy Alekman, director, Trade Marketing at USA TODAY, closed the evening. Joining her on the panel were Joe Alexander, chief creative officer of The Martin Agency, and one of the judges at the Lions; John Reid chief creative officer of Wunderman DC, and Tom Bedecarré – co-founder & chairman, AKQA. It was noted that hashtags was the obvious biggest trend for the year at the Lions. It was also noted that even though it is a wonderful celebration of worldwide talent, the Lions have become almost too big and is starting to lose its exclusivity. Cannes Lions is described as the only truly global meeting place for professionals working in creative communications, from creatives and marketers to technologists and media specialists. Cannes Lions “is where 12,000 people from 94 countries come together to be inspired by seven unmissable days of learning, networking and celebration.”
Unlike past years, a highlight reel of the winners was not presented last evening. One source said the ADWKDC committee decided to not run the reel because Cannes Lions now releases the reel shortly after the event and many see it online. In years past USA Today hosted the premiere of the reel during ADWKDC. Capitol Communicator recommends bringing back the showing of the reel in a community setting such as at ADWKDC or an DC Ad Club function.
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