BL!NDER have announced Lucan native Luke Franklin, a student of Dun Laoghaire IADT, as the winner of the inaugural BL!NDSPOT competition and the €2,000 cash prize for his test commercial ‘Nike’.
The competition was launched in May 2006 to find new and distinctive voices in the field of television advertising. Applicants were invited to make a test commercial for a real or imaginary product, service or cause. The commercial had to be less than 60 seconds and could be shot on any format: DV, film, beta, or even mobile phone. Animation was also an option.
Luke was chosen from a field of 44 entrants for the top prize. Kieron J Walsh (When Brendan Met Trudy, Watermelon), Director of Bl!nder Ltd., and one of the competition judges, says, “After much deliberation with the 12 judges it was decided that for overall clarity, simplicity, warmth and execution ‘Nike’ was the best. Many of the commercials had extremely good ideas and were poorly executed. This was not due to the financial constraints the filmmakers had but down to a poor clarity of vision. Equally some of the commercials were beautifully shot and well executed but the idea was weak. Our top 5 all have strong ideas that were well executed but the makers of ‘Nike’ managed to cut a concise but moving spot that didn’t outstay its welcome.”
Judges for the award included Creative Directors from leading Irish agencies Chemistry Strategic Communications, DDFH & B, GreyHelme, Irish International BBDO, Javelin/Young and Rubicam, McCann Erickson, McConnells, Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, Publicis QMP and Young Euro RSCG, as well as Bl!nder.
