Baker Smith of harvest introduces us to kids who envision how their first day of the school year will play out. In “Cafeteria” we meet a youngster who’s grown over the summer and is looking to stake his claim. He walks through an empty cafeteria, setting the stage for what will be his first day back at noon lunchtime–all the while accompanied by another lad who’s beating a drum. Our original boy will order a double helping of hamburger if it’s on the menu but won’t sit at the table that had been his roost last year with a couple of buddies.
The 10th grade lad shares with us his plan of how he will instead upgrade to the most desirable table where his ultimate gal crush sits–at which point the drummer changes his musical accompaniment to the sound of a heartbeat.
The youngster feels comfortable and confident that his seat at a new table will come to fruition–after all, he’s dressed for the occasion, having connected with JCPenney’s #FirstDayLook to ensure he makes a good impression from day one at school.
Agency is Y&R New York.
Edelman Global CCO Judy John Named AICP Next Awards Judging Chair
Judy John, global chief creative officer at global communications firm Edelman, has been named as the 2025 AICP Next Awards judging chair. In this role, John has assembled a roster of jury presidents who will, in turn, select judges for all AICP Next Awards categories.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be named AICP Next Awards judging chair,” said John. “I’ve served as a Next jury president, and I know the caliber of work that’s entered and the level of talent judging that work. The Next Awards are special, as they recognize achievements through the lens of boundary-breaking innovations in marketing. Like great art, this work creates awe in the viewer, and reflects the times and culture in which it was created. The fact that the honored work is preserved in The Museum of Modern Art’s Department of Film’s archives for future generations adds a whole other level of significance.”
“Judy’s career in many ways reflects the DNA of the Next Awards, in that she is a globally-recognized expert in creating work using a wide range of techniques, media platforms and content formats,” said Matt Miller, president and CEO of AICP. “Her complete fluency in the current marketing communications landscape makes her an ideal judging chairperson. We’re delighted that she is serving in this role.”
The AICP Next Awards is much more than an awards competition; it’s also a platform for examining work through thought leadership and analysis. The entry deadline for the AICP Next Awards, along with the AICP Show: The Art & Technique of the Commercial and the AICP Post Awards, is Wed., February 26. Details can be found here.
Two new categories are joining the Next Awards this year, for... Read More