Travel restrictions play havoc with D&AD

D&AD Judging started today despite most of the international judges not being able to fly to London due to the volcanic ash cloud spreading across Europe. Judging takes place from 19-22 April and D&AD have been monitoring the situation closely since flight restrictions first came into place last Thursday. Judging is going ahead as planned and D&AD has instigated a two-pronged contingency plan.

“First, wherever possible, we are setting up remote voting to enable judges unable to travel to London to cast their votes,” said CEO Tim O’Kennedy.

“Second, we have a bank of reserve judges based in the UK that will beable to replace those unable to attend or participate remotely. Allaffected jurors have been contacted to discuss options and to establisha plan of action. We will retain the integrity of D&AD Judging andwill not proceed with anything that we feel undermines this. We willcontinue to keep judges and entrants informed of developments over thecoming days. We are very grateful to the industry, who have shown suchcommitment to make D&AD Judging happen; either going to greatlengths to get here or changing their schedules to stand in at the lastminute.”

D&AD President and ECD of AMV BBDO London Paul Brazier give his first day impressions from the D&AD judging here.