Ogilvy & Mather’s Piyush Pandey has been appointed as the brand ambassador for D&AD White Pencil Award. The new award from D&AD has been announced for an idea that raises awareness or changes behaviour around a pressing social, environmental or health issue. Sir John Hegarty from BBH and Marcello Serpa from Almap BBDO are also among the brand ambassadors for the initiative this year.
Each time, D&AD will partner with an organisation or cause chosen by the members and set a brief, challenging the creative community to use their skills to solve global problems that touch everyone. This year, D&AD has partnered with non-profit organisation Peace One Day, the global charity working to establish Peace Day (September 21) in the calendar to make it a day which everyone around the world can engage with and observe.
Commenting on the award, Pandey said, “This is probably the most significant initiative that I have come across from the world of communication. D&AD launching the White Pencil for a great cause – for Peace One Day is encouraging thousands of creative people, corporations and conglomerates to participate on September 21, World Peace Day, where they will attempt to a get opposing elements to declare a one day cease-fire even if a war is on. I think it is a huge challenge for the community and at my age if I am excited I know it will excite lot of people who are much younger and they would join hands to make this a huge success and win the White Pencil.”
The brief is open to anyone, individuals, organisations or collaborations. The work must have been produced and run, even if only on a very small scale. One White Pencil will be awarded each time the competition runs and a nominations shortlist promoted and celebrated. The White Pencil will be awarded at the D&AD Awards Night in that year.