LIA announces Converse’s Amber Finlay as the 2017 jury president for LIA’s The NEW category

London International Awards (LIA) has announced Amber Finlay, senior director, global brand communications at Converse as jury president of The NEW. 

The NEW hopes to constantly drive the industry to evolve by spawning new categories that are fruitful directions for agencies and brands. This year LIA has made some significant changes to The NEW, adding new categories to reflect and champion evolution in the industry.

Says Barbara Levy, president of LIA: “Amber’s diverse background – agency and client, creative, media and digital, makes her the best fit to chair this jury. The NEW was created for work that pushed the boundaries. It is a medium that is ever-changing to reflect the evolution of our industry and to honor those that create outside the box.”

As the senior director of global brand communications at Converse, Finlay gets to put her obsession with fashion and culture to use every day, overseeing the development of creative content that reflects the daring spirit of youth that drives the Converse brand.  Before taking a role on the brand side at Converse, Finlay spent her career in roles spanning brand, digital and communications strategy at agencies such as Arnold Worldwide, Naked Communications, Deep Focus, McGarry Bowen, and DDB. With a passion for technology and how it shapes culture and people, Finlay has worked on projects across those agencies for brands including Google, HBO, Johnson & Johnson, Jack Daniels, and Progressive Insurance.

Says Finlay on presiding over the LIA jury: “I’m honored to chair the 2017 jury for LIA’s competition for The NEW. If you buy into Arthur C Clarke’s thought that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic, then there is nothing more exciting than creative work that fits into none of the existing boxes. I’m ready to see some magic.”

Judging will take place at Encore Las Vegas from September 29th through October 7th.  

The Entry System is open for entries. The initial entry deadline is the 9th June.

For more information on submissions and eligibility, please visit the LIA website at www.liaawards.com.