The Australasian Writers and Art Directors Association (AWARD) is pleased to announce Susan Hoffman, Co-Chief Creative Officer of Wieden+Kennedy, has been appointed Chair of Judges for the 39th AWARD Awards.

Known to challenge the status quo, Hoffman is behind some of W+K’s most memorable and game-changing ads, including Nike’s “Revolution”, Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” and Chrysler’s Super Bowl spots starring Eminem and Clint Eastwood.

As co-chief creative officer, Hoffman currently oversees the entire W+K global network. Under her leadership, W+K was awarded 2017 AdWeek Global Agency of the Year, and included on Fast Company’s list of Most Innovative Companies.

AWARD Chairman Mike Spirkovski said this is a rare opportunity to learn from a true icon of the industry: “We are thrilled to welcome Susan Hoffman as our Jury Chair for the 39th AWARD Awards. Susan’s career is enviable and her work an inspiration to every creative around the world.”

Adding: “We look forward to hearing Susan’s perspective on our region’s best work and her vision on creativity and our industry’s future.”

After starting her career as art director at Pihas, Schmidt, Westerdahl, Hoffman went on to become W+K’s first and only female partner. She has worked as creative director, held ECD roles in New York and Delhi, and opened the agency’s Amsterdam and London offices. Along the way, Hoffman has helped launch the careers of many of the most successful creative directors in the industry.

“I’m honored to head up the AWARD judging and to have the opportunity to see all the new ways in which creativity is showing up in the australian market,” Hoffman said.

Adding: “There are so many ways to exercise new thinking, new channels and new ways to engage audiences in being the voice of brands. Exciting times.”

The AWARD Awards has been running for nearly four decades and continues to be the most prestigious creative award program in the region.

The AWARD Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, 25 May 2018, during the Semi Permanent creative festival. 

Further details regarding the Semi Permanent official program and Hoffman’s activities will be released in the coming months.