D&AD and Unilever Announce a Long Term
Strategic Partnership and the Launch of a New Award: The White
Pencil
LONDON, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- D&AD,
the world's leading body for the creative industries and Unilever,
one of the world's largest consumer goods companies, are today
announcing a major long term partnership. As a first embodiment of
this new collaboration, Unilever has pledged to support The White
Pencil, an award designed to celebrate an idea that will change the
world for the better. This investment will help fund a programme of
educational activities to get people talking, joining in and taking
action to really make a difference.
The White Pencil is the first new award in D&AD's fifty year
history. A D&AD Award, traditionally given as a black or yellow
pencil, is considered the Oscar of the international design and
advertising industries. The White Pencil builds on this tradition
of rewarding excellence by driving the talent and skill of the
world's creative community into an idea that will improve people's
lives.
The White Pencil will be awarded annually to an idea that has been
executed and demonstrated its ability to influence real and
positive change. The first White Pencil will be awarded in November
2012 as part of D&AD's 50th Birthday celebrations.
Unilever and D&AD are encouraging the international creative
community to share their skills by participating in the inaugural
White Pencil brief.
http://www.dandad.org/dandad/white-pencil
Marc Mathieu, SVP Marketing, Unilever, said: "On our mission to
make sustainable living commonplace, our brands and our marketing
have a great responsibility to inspire and stimulate positive
change to people's lives. To achieve this, we fundamentally believe
in the power of creativity, and so it's crucial that we work with
the best creative minds in the world to help us. The challenge we
have set ourselves is hugely ambitious; it's going to be far from
easy. It will constantly require fresh perspectives, innovative
thinking and a passion for believing in the almost-impossible.
That's why our new long term partnership with D&AD and the
White Pencil is so exciting, because it's these qualities that are
inherent within the creative community, and these qualities that
will be instrumental in helping us deliver on our sustainable
growth agenda."
Tim Lindsay CEO D&AD said: "D&AD and Unilever share the
belief that marketing has the power to change the world. The White
Pencil will reward an innovative idea that changes the way we
behave for the better. The best brand propositions are built around
real consumer needs, and the people who develop them are
craftspeople of great skill. I can't think of anything we need more
than a change towards safer, more sustainable lifestyles. And the
best people to help us do that are the designers and advertising
creatives who shape our behaviour on a daily basis."
Notes to Editors:
D&AD is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the
international design, advertising and creative communities. More
than any other organisation, D&AD sets industry standards,
educates and inspires the next generation. It promotes the
importance of creativity, innovation and ideas in the business
community. Visit http://www.dandad.org for further information.
Registered Charity Number: 305992
More info, interviews and images please contact D&AD Senior
Communications Manager Liam Fay-Fright, [email protected],
+44(0)207-840-1122
SOURCE: D&AD