Joe Sedelmaier, Neil French honoured by NYF

The 2009 New York Festivals Advertising Awards, honoring “The World’s Best Advertising” will present iconic commercial director Joe Sedelmaier and legendary advertising creative Neil French with NYF Lifetime Achievement Awards.  The NYF Lifetime Achievement Award recipients will be honored in separate ceremonies during the inaugural New York Festivals International Advertising World Tour.   

Joe Sedelmaier, the brilliant award winning commercial director known for his quirky humor and off beat casting for client’s such as FedEx, Wendy’s and Alaska Air, will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chicago launch of the seven city 2009 World Tour.  Neil French (left) will be presented with the NYF Lifetime Achievement Award in Shanghai, China on July 25th. As former WPP Creative Director, Neil French is known around the globe for his award winning ads featuring signature lengthy copy peppered with his unmistakably dry wit and unique outspoken point of view.  Having won dozens of international awards including NYF dating back to the mid 80s, French is undoubtedly considered one of the true pioneers of advertising in Asia.

 “We’re honored to be able to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to people who are as accomplished and as deserving as they are.  At such a tumultuous time when people are constantly talking about how much the industry is struggling to find itself, it’s incredibly fitting to honor two professionals who have clearly mastered the fundamental of any great ad, the idea,” said NYF President Michael O’Rourke.