Philip Ireland and John Davenport founding partners of Ireland/Davenport have each been appointed as judges for two of the world’s major annual advertising awards. Ireland has been appointed to join the 2007 Cannes Lions judging panel in the Film category whilst Davenport will be the only South African on the jury at this year’s Clio Awards to be held in Miami next month, where he will judge the Radio category.
With a decade in advertising behind each of them, Davenport and Ireland have honed their skills at the likes of Ogilvy, Hunt Lascaris & NetworkBBDO with Ireland also having spent two years working in Singapore. They have earned numerous awards including Gold Pencils at One Show, Clio Awards, Loerie Grand Prix’s, D&AD Awards and multiple Gold Lions at Cannes. In October 2005, the duo founded Ireland / Davenport and the agency has in its first year managed to secure the BMW, Castle Lite, CTM, HTH and Imperial Car Rental accounts.
Comments Ireland on his Cannes jury appointment, “It is a fantastic honour to be part of the Cannes Film jury because great ads have given me so much enjoyment over the years that it’s really great to be able to do something to help recognise the people who made them.’ Adds Davenport, “It is a priviledge for us to be included in these prestigious awards ceremonies and we’re delighted to be able to be a part of the process of acknowledging some of the world’s greatest advertising. Although judging is distressingly hard work, involving far too much time sitting in dark rooms and far too little time spent drinking pina coladas.’
