Two industry leaders and two up-and-coming stars were given Pinnacle Awards at the ADMA Australian Creativity and Effectiveness Awards.

Global CEO Sean Cummins of cummins&partners was crowned 2014 Marketer of the Year for his role in changing the marketing and advertising landscape in Australia.

“Sean is an influential and prominent leader in the marketing and advertising industry. He has been responsible for iconic advertising campaigns that have put Australia on the map,” said Karen Ganschow, chair of ADMA’s board of directors and westpac’s general manager of CRM & digital. “He has also led the way in introducing new agency models that challenge the traditional approach and bring together the elements of marketing, media and advertising for the benefit of the client.”

“Sean has shown what is possible and in that way challenges us all never to accept the status quo, and is now taking this philosophy to the world,” she added.

Sean has created many of the great campaigns that have put Australia on the map like Best Job in the World, Jeep’s Australia Don’t Hold Back and Keeping the Air Fair for Virgin Airlines.

Independent agency cummins&partners has prospered in tough economic times and Sean recently opened an office in New York, quickly winning three accounts including champagne brand Maison Perrier-Jouët.

Data Pass advocate Julie Dormand wins Jon Clark Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award

Another industry figure recognised on the night was MercerBell’s Managing Director, Julie Dormand, who won the Jon Clark Outstanding Contribution of the Year Award, which is awarded to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the industry, nurtured industry talent and has had an accomplished career.

“Julie is an advocate of best practice in marketing. She was the driving force behind the development of Data Pass, ADMA’s responsible data management program. She understands the importance of agencies demonstrating to clients that they understand best practice around data, and as a result, MercerBell was the first company to finish the program,” said Jodie Sangster, ADMA CEO.

Julie has also chaired the ADMA NSW Branch for two years and runs the committee that creates and organises networking events in NSW. She is a regular guest speaker at ADMA courses, champions ADMA 30Below, and served as a grand panel judge for the AC&E Awards.

“She is always there when we need her and is one of the most helpful people I know. Despite her demanding job, she still makes time to help the industry and is very deserving of our outstanding contribution award,” said Sangster.

Under 30 invite campaign propels Brendan Graham to top as Young Creative of the Year

Brendan Graham, copywriter and strategist at Soap Creative, took out the Young Creative of the Year accolade for his integrated campaign ‘Under 30 invite.’

The clever campaign features images of current industry leaders when they were in their 20s, with copy inviting those under 30 to enter the Young Marketer/Young Creative of the Year competition.”

“Brendan’s campaign plays on nostalgia. It’s fun for young creatives to look at pictures of their industry leaders when they were starting out and it will be fun for the leaders to take part in this campaign and invite creatives who they think should enter the 2015 competitions,” said Sangster.

Brendan’s campaign will be used in print, digital and social to launch the 2015 ADMA Young Marketer and Young Creative competition.

For the last four years Brendan has worked at independent digital agency Soap Creative where he helps devise creative strategy for ING Direct, Soap’s biggest client, as well as a diverse list of clients that includes Xbox, Unilever, Lion Nathan, Lorna Jane, Pernod Ricard, Wrigley and 20^th Century Fox. He has been awarded at Cannes, Clio, One Show, New York Festivals and was named in Business & Technology Magazine’s list of 30 Under 30 to watch.

ADMA Young Marketer wins for business results and awards

Allister Hercus is the 2014 Young Marketer of the Year, which awards a young marketer on their achievements and contributions to the industry.

“Allister demonstrated passion, a strong belief in breaking new ground and being an innovator,” said Ian Kennedy OAM, one of the judges for this year’s Young Marketer of the Year competition.

Having developed skills in sales and storytelling during his time in the renewable energy industry, Allister jumped over to media to develop an expertise in social data. A social architect, he uses big data to create big ideas.

As social media strategist at MEC, he’s been the brains behind many of the company’s most recent social media and content-driven campaigns and played a significant role in converting these executions into awards for the agency.

Thanks to Allister, MEC was the most awarded agency at the 2014 MFA Awards. He has also won awards at the Global Festival of Media and was shortlisted twice at the Cannes Festival of Creativity. Aside from winning awards, Allister’s campaigns have driven strong business results for clients by engaging with their customers in more relevant ways.