Ron Samuel’s flashbacks from AdFest 2017 Day 3

Former judge and AdFest veteran Ron Samuel (pictured left) details his flash backs from AdFest 2017.

Flashback Day 3: Lunch with Ogilvy & Mather Hong Kong

Breakfast meetings at AdFest can be problematic, as there are occasions when the line between evening and morning activity becomes very wobbly.

So today I invited myself to lunch with the creatives in charge at Ogilvy & Mather & Hong Kong.

From left to right on the pink couch are Richard Sorensen, Creative Director, Reed Collins, Chief Creative Officer, and John Koay Creative Director. This year’s theme is diversity and they represented it very well.

I asked them to share their thoughts on inspiration, relevance and value at Adfest 2017. Collins, who was also on the Film and Radio Jury, said that he believed that there was definitely inspiration and value for clients alike. “These are challenging times with the pace of change happening very quickly so it helps when people can see what others trying and how brands are meeting the challenge,” Collins said. Sorensen added that there was world-class work at the show that some of the delegates would not have been exposed to elsewhere and that can only increase their knowledge and creative depth adding value to themselves and their agencies. A good point.

For Koay the pace of change is something that young creatives need to be able to become comfortable with very quickly in order to identify the creative opportunities they present. You can’t do that when you’re too scared about what’s coming next. A good point, as I think most clients are on the same roller coaster so better to enjoy the ride than scream all the way.

He also believed that there was some inspirational thinking at the show even it wasn’t always reflected in the end result. I agree but I also think that the cultural context of the work needs to be considered as ideas live different lives in different places.

That’s what AdFest is all about and I think it works very well.

We could have kept talking about the work but then someone ordered drinks and….

VIEW RON SAMUEL’S FLASHBACKS AT ADFEST DAY ONE AND TWO