Shirtcliffe to chair Loeries Experiential Jury

Matt Shirtcliffe, creative director of Saatchi and Saatchi DGS Auckland, is this year’s Loeries Experiential jury chair.

He’s not a complete stranger to South African talent, having hired two top South African creatives while in Toronto, and now working with two more in Auckland.

“The work coming out of South Africa is bold and brave – particularly in the Public Service and Charity categories. When I got sent two Loeries Annuals, I took them home and was like a kid in a toy shop; there was some great work to digest,” he says.

Shirtcliffe returned to NZ to take up his role last year after a successful stint as Executive Vice President and Executive Creative Director at Proximity BBDO Canada.

Less than a year later Saatchi and Saatchi DGS were awarded AdMedia’s Direct and Interactive Agency of the Year.

An experienced judge, Shirtcliffe’s been on juries at Cannes, Caples, AWARD, AXIS and the RSVPs. “But this is the first time I’ve had to chair a jury, so that’ll be a whole new challenge,” he says.

The Loerie Awards Judging Week kicks off with the Judges Seminar on 13 July 2009, and continues until 17 July. The 31st Annual Loerie Awards will be taking place in Cape Town, Thursday 24 September – Sunday 27 September 2009.