2019 panel draws together top creative minds

A panel of 18 expert judges are seeking bold, original ideas in Ocean’s annual search for the best digital out-of-home (DOOH) creative concepts.

Brands, agencies and creative teams have until the extended closing date of Friday, September 6 to enter the 10th annual competition, which is presented in association with Campaign.

Ideas that raise the bar in DOOH advertising share a £650,000 prize fund and the chance for those concepts to be showcased across Ocean’s multiple environments and iconic digital formats in cities across the UK.

For the first time in the competition, agencies and brands are also invited to enter concepts designed for the scale and presence of the Landsec Piccadilly Lights, London’s celebrated global advertising icon.

The 2019 judges who will decide this year’s winners are Alison King, creative lead at Wavemaker; Andy Corcoran, managing partner, creatives services, UM; Jo Wallace, creative director at JWT London; Alastair Cole, director of creative technology at Engine Group; Richard Sunderland, chairman and CEO of Heavenly; Niall Wilson, head of M&KE, M&C Saatchi; Richard Atkins, head of digital production at BBH; and Jaie Genadt, UK chief technology officer at Momentum Worldwide.

Also joining the panel are Gill Reid, partner – head of out-of-home, Mediacom; Rapport CEO Chris Marjoram and Claire Kimber, head of strategy at Rapport; Chris Lynham, UK/Europe head of media and client operations URW; Glen Wilson, manager director of Posterscope UK; Talon’s strategy director Sophie Pemberton and head of creative solutions Jay Young; and James Byard, head of Kinetic Active.

Representing Landsec, owner of the Piccadilly Lights, are Christine Baldwin, head of portfolio management London, and digital advertising manager Derek Manns.

Ocean head of marketing and events Helen Haines said: “Ocean reaches the 10th year of this competition with a single aim – to demonstrate the evolution of progressive digital out-of-home and to ensure that we market and execute every creative possibility to the highest standard. To help us deliver this, we have drawn together some of the best creative minds who understand how technology and content engages with audiences in imaginative and immediate ways. All you need to succeed in this competition is a simple, bold idea.”

Concepts will be segmented by brand or charity during the judging process.

Ocean is also seeking ideas which align brands with its Ocean For Oceans initiative, a campaign to help remove plastic pollution from the world’s seas and waterways.

Last year’s winners included St Luke’s Communications and the National AIDS Trust for Rock the Ribbon; McCann London for Microsoft Xbox; Glimpse and DOOH.com for Sea Change: The Sea Is The Sky; and 23red and City to Sea for Hydration Station.

It is free to enter Ocean’s competition. The winners will be announced at a prestigious industry awards ceremony at the IMAX in London on Thursday, October 10.