D&AD goes public on scam ads

D&AD has entered the scam ads debate with CEO Tim O’Kennedy and new president Paul Brazier (pictured) outlining their policy on scam ads:

Wehave been following the recent controversy surrounding DDB Brasil’sentry of ‘scam’ work, purportedly for WWF, and give our support to thestance the One Show has taken against this and other fake entries.We’ve been reviewing our own policies in the lead up to our next callfor entries in October, and the current debate gives us an earlyopportunity to state our position.

We have always had strict rules concerning eligibility at theAwards and have been rigorous where scam ads are concerned. We ask ourjuries to be vigilant and to identify work to us if they have anyconcerns about its validity. Every item thus identified has beeninvestigated by the Awards team and referred to our Executive Committeeif necessary. D&AD maintains the right to exclude any fraudulententries, along with the entering agency, from that and subsequentD&AD Awards shows, and will continue to enforce those rightsvigorously. Work must have been produced in response to a genuine briefand be approved and paid for by the client. Works created solely forthe purpose of entering competitions are not eligible.

Forthe 2010 and future D&AD awards shows, the Executive CreativeDirector or an equivalent officer of the entrant company will berequired to validate the eligibility of every item, ensuring that workdoes not slip through without their knowledge. A plea of ignorance isnot an acceptable defence.

We also need totake this opportunity to applaud all the more the hundreds of companiesthat submit authentic, groundbreaking work every year. ~We willcontinue to be vigilant against scam work, and will also do our utmostto shine the spotlight on the brilliant, inspiring creative work thatis being produced every year. D&AD has always been committed tosetting the highest industry standards and encouraging the nextgeneration.  Our independent charitable status ensures we remaindedicated to these ideals without external interference.