The 2012 NY Festivals Awards

After a two-day conference, last night (Thursday) the winners of the 2012 New York Festivals International Advertising Awards were unveiled at the city’s Public Library.

The biggest gong of the night, scoring The World’s Best Idea prize, was picked up Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Digitas for its Small Business Saturday idea for American Express. The campaign initiated a grassroots movement to promote a day of local shopping across the States in order to support small businesses.

BETC Euro RSCG continued its winning streak at the show, picking up another top prize for its film The Bear for Canal+ after claiming one of only two Grand Awards given out on the night. The spot also claimed another three golds in the Acting, Direction and Humour categories.

The second Grand Award of the evening was presented to Publicis Amsterdam for its hard-hitting charity campaign for the ALS Foundation titled I’m Now Deceased, which featured sufferers of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neurone disease) who had since passed away.

Other gold winners included Doritos Dip Desperado from AMV BDDO and The Glue Society, which picked up three awards, and JWT Shanghai who claimed six prizes for the Cannes Grand Prix-winning Samsonite Heaven and Hell print campaign.

In the Integrated category, gold was given to Clemenger BBDO Melbourne for its Break-up initiative for bank NAB, which saw the bank engage in a series of stunts as it ‘broke up’ with Australia’s other three major banks to showcase its independence and fairness. Jung von Matt AG also claimed gold for its Mercedes Benz Invisible Car project in the Innovative Use of Technology.

This year’s jury was moderated for the second year running by Donald Gunn of The Gunn Report, who was joined in his duties by Michael Conrad, president of the Berlin School of Creative Leadership. The executive jury once again also boasted an impressive line-up of international chief creative officers. For a full list of jury members click here and to see all the winners visit the New York Festival’s winners showcase here.