MADC announces new commitee members
At the MADC AGM last night, the new Committee members for 2013 were announced.
The new members are Tony Prysten (left), creative director and co-founder, igloo; Sally Brownbill
Founder, The Brownbill Effect; Natasha Wood, senior copywriter, McCann and John Akritidis, creative director, Marmalade.
Originally studying at Monash University as an industrial designer, Prysten has evolved from a print and brand based graphic designer into a digital designer and creative director. This combination gives his work its distinctive style.
Prysten was a keynote speaker at the 2009 AgIdeas conference in Melbourne, alongside some of the world’s leading creative talent. His work is backed by an array of industry awards including MADC and AGDA.
Brownbill (left)has had a successful career as a commercial photographer and agent. To Melbourne-based creatives, her name will seem familiar from her days at Dux Creative Consultants.
Brownbill now devotes her experience and expertise to developing the professional standing of individual photographers both in Australia and overseas. In February 2013, she is launching The Brownbill Effect, an online creative resource that will redefine the way creative professionals connect with each other.
Brownbill is a big believer in helping the next generation and is a lecturer in the Bachelor of Arts (Photography) course at RMIT, as well as guest lecturing at NMIT and the prestigious Ultimo TAFE in NSW. She has previously been on the MADC Committee and has been a judge at numerous industry award shows.
When asked why she wanted to join the committee, Wood (left) charmed voters with this response:
Says Wood: “This year I picked up Best of Show. That’s never happened to me before. It kind of blew me away. I felt like a ten year old winning my first running race with my parents on hand to take pictures and revel in my greatness. Well, that may be an overstatement (the greatness bit), but I was truly humbled and delighted.
“That feeling hasn’t gone. Some people like to act cool at MADC. They swan up on stage, collect yet another award and trot off. I danced like Madge (before she got saggy) because I truly believe they are special. To me MADC matters. I’d like to be a part of that.”
Akritidis started his creative life sorting out mail, sending parcels and copping an earful about empty fridges in the hallowed halls of Clemenger Melbourne. Now creative directing at Marmalade Melbourne (after five glorious years at DDB Melbourne), Akritidis is ready to give something back.
Says Akritidis: “Melbourne has been good to me. Born and bred here, I know it well and have seen it grow and prosper. The Melbourne advertising industry has also been good to me, so now, I want to be good to it.”
They will join the continuing Committee members:
· Nigel Dawson (President), Creative Director, Grey
· Tracy Proposch (Vice President), Pro-Duce
· Paul Baxter, Senior Designer, Risk Sound
· Nick Condon, Managing Director, DDB
· Simon Bagnasco, Creative Director, DDB
· Andrew Woodhead, Creative Group Head, Leo Burnett
· Helene Nicol, Producer, Mr Smith
· Damian Kelly, Designer, Damian Kelly Design
· Nick McDonald, A3 Recruitment
Ant Simmons will be retiring from the Committee in 2013.