Record entries for Loeries

“While advertising remains the largest category, design entries have increased by 23% and experiential entries by a phenomenal 35%. Within the experiential category it is great to see that there is resurgence in entries in the ‘non-broadcast video' and ‘live events' categories with more than double the entries, as well as strong growth in the ‘alternative media and field marketing' and ‘digital' categories,” adds Human.

“More small agencies”

“I am especially pleased to see a lot more small agencies entering and, although the bulk of entries received are from South Africa, we have seen a strong growth of entries from other countries in the region. This is a great opportunity for us to see a wider spectrum of the work being produced.”

The judging week begins at the SABC in Auckland Park on 2 July 2007 and finalists will be announced in the week thereafter. Winners will be announced at the festival weekend in Margate on 28 and 29 July. If you haven't booked your seats to the awards ceremony yet, then you'd better grab them while you still can, as they are selling out fast. All Mango flight reservations must be made before 15 June to receive the special Loeries rate.

This year the awards ceremony – held once again over two nights – is all glam. Slip on a tie, and jacket; be stunning in your most beautiful dress of the year, and wear sparkling jewellery. Be bold, wear vintage velvet or 21st century Alexander McQueen. Wear sunglasses and French cologne.

Host of activities

Outside of the awards, the weekend promises a host of activities, including the Velocity Pool Party and the heat Afterglow Party on the Saturday; the SABC street party on the Sunday; and the Battle of the Bands competition, where agency creatives can finally be rock stars. There's also the golf tournament at San Lameer on the Sunday morning; or alternatively you can sip on a Bloody Mary in the Vodacom VIP Lounge or watch non-stop international advertising showreels at the Margate Cinema. This year all accredited media with have access to a 24-hour, fully equipped media centre, sponsored by Vodacom.

Go to The Loerie Awards at online www.theloerieawards.co.za for all festival weekend information, including details on each of the events, ticket sales, Mango flights, accommodation, golf day bookings and more.

Major sponsors of The Loerie Awards are SABC, Media24, The Zulu Kingdom and Vodacom. Other sponsors and partners are: Aon-Shield, Avis, 24.com, Brandhouse, David Prior Photography, Gallo Images, Gearhouse, Grid, Hetzner, Hibiscus Coast Municipality, Lightworks, Lithotech, Mango Airlines, Newsclip, Ogilvy Johannesburg, Orchestra Blue, Ornico Group, Paygate, Rocketseed, Six Million Dollar Media, Sonovision Studios, Ugu District Municipality, Verdantpoint, Magna Carta, H-Factor, Leg Studios, Havaseat, LED Vision, JuJu, Wozani Africa

The Loerie Awards is the only award endorsed by the Association for Communication and Advertising (ACA), the Creative Circle (CC), the South African Graphic Design Council (Think), the Commercial Producers Association (CPA), the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), and the Communication & Advertising Forum for Empowerment (Café).