Communications Council Announces Axis 2023 Executive Judges

In celebration of the 43rd annual AXIS Awards, the Communications Council is proud to announce the team of executive judging judges.

In judging this year's entries, the 2023 executive team is sure to bring a fresh perspective. The five presidents are Brigid Alkema, chief creative officer of Clemenger BBDO Wellington, Matty Burton, group chief creative officer of DDB Aotearoa, Christie Cooper, creative director of The Monkeys Aotearoa, Raymond Otene McKay, creative director of RUN, and Jonathan McMahon, executive creative director at SPECIAL. You can find more information on the Comms Council website, including full bios of this all-star team.

Among the executive judging panel, we welcome Micah Walker from Bear Meets Eagle On Fire as our international judge for this year's contest. Working with some of the most influential brands and agencies in the world, Micah has established a distinctive global reputation. Formerly a creative partner at Fallon London, he has since led various agencies as executive creative director, including Leo Burnett, Mojo, the Monkeys and 72andSunny.

The AXIS Awards have always been dedicated to recognising New Zealand's creative excellence. The importance of this is perhaps greater now than ever after the challenging year we have all experienced.

This year’s convenor, Lesia Wall, chief creative officer at FCB Aotearoa comments, "It’s a real privilege to be working with such a talented bunch of humans on this year’s AXIS Awards. I know how busy they all are and the fact they’ve agreed to share some of their valuable time and knowledge is humbling. I hope to make it up to them with a boozy dinner."

The final entry deadline is Wednesday 8th February. All information on entries can be found here. The AXIS Awards Show and AXIS Speaks tickets will be released next week, so stay tuned for more information.