The week began with the news that Masango has made the Art Director's Club jury for the 95th edition of the awards.
The Art Director's Club is a New York-based non-profit membership organisation, with its Annual Awards the oldest continuously running industry award show in the world to discover and celebrate raw creative talent.
Masango, who holds artistry and craftsmanship in advertising very dear, had time for a quick Q&A...
Masango: I received an email from the ADC just before midnight. Obviously, I couldn't go to sleep after reading it!
Masango: It's an absolute honour to be representing Y&R and South Africa as a whole. The calibre of judges at ADC is quite high, so for me, it's a great opportunity to learn. At the same time, it's an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the table. The jury is predominantly from the Americas, so it helps to have someone with a different lens.
Masango: During the few years I've spent at Y&R Cape Town, we have accomplished many agency firsts at creative award shows, but the highlight for me was the Financial Mail Annual AdFocus Medium Agency of the Year title, which was awarded to us in November 2015. It sums up the team effort that has gone into raising Y&R Cape Town's creative profile.
Prior to Cape Town, I was in Hong Kong for four years. It was a blast, but the challenges I experienced made me appreciate the talent and can-do spirit we have in South Africa.
Masango: The key difference between local and international judging is the scale of the work. When I was judging Film at AD STARS, I was looking at work that had an impact on a global scale. Even with a multicultural jury, the brilliant pieces are rarely debatable. It's just a question of Gold or Grand Prix.
Masango: We're dominating radio. Our print is solid at best. But we're struggling in pretty much everything else. Having said that, considering the size of our market, we still manage to make our presence felt at the shows, and I feel positive about the direction we are going in.
Masango: Until there's an equal split of male/female ECDs and creatives, I'll say that not enough is being done.
The change won't happen organically. ADC's 50/50 Initiative has been running for three years now, and has proven that equality is doable. It doesn't compromise quality - it vastly improves it.
Over and out.
The 95th ADC Annual Awards judging will take place from 11 to 15 April 2016 in Colorado. Click here for more on the ADC and click here for more on Masango.