Oli Nicholson from Western Australia has been named AWARD School 2020 national top student.
At a virtual ceremony, held on Facebook Live, Oli was ahead of more than 190 students in a year marked by challenges for all AWARD School participants as a result of COVID-19.
Her tutors were Liz Hammond (Rare Perth) and Richard Berney (303 MullenLowe), under the guidance of WA AWARD School Head Rikki Burns.
The announcement follows the AWARD School Graduation Night on July 29 when Nicholson was named WA State Winner alongside her fellow state top students Lauren Elliott (NSW), Declan Harrick (VIC), Meg Jenkins (QLD) and Cameron Roberts (SA), all of whose folios are now available to view on the AWARD website.
Oli can now look forward to an informal virtual meeting that most emerging talents can only dream of, with one of the world’s top creatives, Jeff Goodby, inviting her to a Zoom catch-up with himself and AWARD Chair Cam Blackley.
Goodby, co-chairman of Goodby Silverstein & Partners, extended the invitation via video during Wednesday night’s ceremony, saying: “I’d love to get together with the winner to do a Zoom call with you and Cam and talk about work and life after AWARD School."
The tip student was chosen from among the state winners by the 2020 Super Jury made up of leading creatives from Australia and around the world.
The 2020 Super Jury :
1. Brigid Alkema: Executive Creative Director, Clemenger BBDO Wellington
2. Cam Blackley: Chief Creative Officer, M&C Saatchi Australia and AWARD Chair
3. Steve Coll: Head of Facebook Creative Shop ANZ
4. Claudia Cristovao: Head of Brand Studio APAC, Google
5. John McKelvey: Founder, Chief Creative Officer, Mirimar Creative Group
6. Ant Keogh: Chief Creative Officer, The Monkeys Melbourne
7. Vida Cornelious: Executive Creative Director, TBrand Studio, The New York Times
8. Feh Tarty: Creative Director, Facebook New York
9. Tara Ford: Chief Creative Officer, DDB
The judges variously described Oli’s folio as "extremely strong", "my favourite book" and "standout".
Feh Tarty said: “Great visualisation of ideas, clearly illustrated, and quick to understand for an audience on the move with little attention for anything.”
Vida Cornelious said: “I really love this book. All of the work is very thoughtful and smart.”
Ant Keogh commented: “This folio stands out to me because there is a thread of simplicity and clever thinking through most of the ideas. There were really strong standout pieces, and across the board nothing below average.”
Steve Coll described Nicholson’s work as simple and smart.
“This portfolio demonstrates smart thinking that always gets to the benefit of the products in a clear and original way,” he said.
AWARD Chair and Super Jury member Cam Blackley: “It was neck and neck at the finish but Oli’s consistently great thinking shone through to grab the ultimate prize. That’s an amazing effort in what has been one of the highest standards AWARD School has seen in a while. Everyone at AWARD joins me in sending her many congratulations.”
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.