Advertising News South Africa

Simon Waterfall the new D&AD president-elect

Simon Waterfall, creative director of digital agency Poke, was formally elected D&AD deputy president last week at the first meeting of the charity's 2006-7 board. Waterfall will take over the presidency once D&AD president 2006-7, Tony Davidson, has completed his term of office in September 2007.

The D&AD board comprises leading representatives from the creative community, who join in three-year rotations. Following ratification of D&AD's Constitution in July 2006, the board will now officially include creative practitioners working in business, in museums and galleries, and freelancers.

"I look forward to my Year of Vice with nervous anticipation,' said Waterfall. "Tony and I have had a great mentor in Dick Powell, and I hope we can match his enthusiasm and vast input. Although I will be the youngest President, I am, in fact, the old boy of digital design. I intend to spend two years bringing electricity to D&AD."

Driving force

With a Masters degree in industrial design from the Royal College of Art, Waterfall established the Deepend studio with friends and partners Gary Lockton and David Streek in 1994. His passion for creative freedom and innovative ideas was the driving force that gave Deepend its distinctive creative approach. His often controversial but always entertaining insights have made him a valued contributor at international events, including ICOGRADA, Hyper Island, Parsons School of Design, the Royal Society of Arts and Institute of Contemporary Arts.

He has been honoured by the Royal Society of Arts with a fellowship in recognition of his contribution to British design and he is also a member the Art Directors Club of New York. He now aims to spend his twilight years in the company of people who can actually make a difference and challenge the conventions - in clients and themselves.

"With his extensive background in digital communications, Simon Waterfall has a lot to contribute as D&AD deputy president,' said D&AD chief executive Michael Hockney.

Fresh

"As a charity, we are in the immensely fortunate position of having some of the best creative minds in the world engaging with our programmes and raising awareness of D&AD's activities. I would like to thank our outgoing board members for their hard work and commitment over the last three years, and to welcome our new board who bring fresh perspectives and experience."

Newly elected members of the board are:

  • Rosie Arnold, creative director, Bartle Bogle Hegarty
  • Simon Carbery, creative consultant (freelance)
  • Sebastian Conran, creative director, Conran & Partners
  • Brett Foraker, creative director, Channel 4
  • Brian Jensen, head of experience planning, OgilvyOne Worldwide

  • Professor Tim Molloy, head of strategic design, Science Museum

Newly appointed members of the board are:

  • Professor Penny Sparke, vice-chancellor, Kingston University

Board members remaining in post are:

  • Tony Davidson, joint executive creative director, Wieden+Kennedy London
  • Simon Waterfall, creative director, Poke
  • Paul Belford, art director (freelance)
  • Dinah Casson, partner, Casson Mann
  • Garrick Hamm, creative director, Williams Murray Hamm
  • Roger Kennedy, creative director advertising and design EMEA, Saatchi & Saatchi London
  • Quentin Newark, co-founder, Atelier Works
  • Paul Priestman, director, Priestman Goode
  • Al Young, joint creative director, St Luke's Communications

The following board members will step down, having completed their three-year term:

  • Dick Powell, co-founder, Seymourpowell - D&AD president 2005-6
  • Simon Marquis, UK chairman, Zenith Optimedia UK (appointed from the business community)
  • Professor Jeremy Myerson, director of the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, Royal College of Art (appointed from the education community)
  • Tim Riley, head of copy, Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO
  • Alison Tomlin, creative director, Carter Wong Tomlin

Registered charity D&AD is a not-for-profit organisation that represents the international design, advertising and creative communities, setting industry standards, educates and inspires the next generation and promotes the importance of creativity, innovation and ideas within the business community. Visit www.dandad.org for further information.

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