This year’s Loeries jury presidents are highly influential as they get to steer the jury and have the final say in those highly anticipated final announcements. Who better than Laura Jordan-Bambach then, heading up the communication design category to kick off our series of interviews on all things creativity related – after all, creativity unites – with this year’s female-strong jury president panel ahead of Loeries 2016, which she calls “one of the most electric awards shows on the global calendar.”

Laura Jordan-Bambach

She’s part of Facebook’s Creative Council think tank steering the future of social, former president of D&AD, one of Britain’s most influential people for two years running according to Debrett’s, co-founder of the SheSays global volunteer network advancing women in the creative industries and Cannt Festival (that's London alternative to the Cannes Lion), as well as a trained taxidermist – all that in addition to her actual day job as partner and creative director of London’s Mr President…

1. Gender equality is a hot topic in advertising at the moment. What can be done to tip the scales and help females shatter through the industry’s glass ceiling globally?

Jordan-Bambach: We need to refresh the creative process within agencies. Not only to help the gender balance at the top, but also to encourage the broader diversity of opinion and background that fuels the creative engines. More visibility and celebration at the top, better recruitment practices and mentorship/training along the way.

2. That’s why it’s so wonderful that three of the four Loeries 2016 jury presidents are female. What’s your view of the Loeries, as ‘an outsider’?

Jordan-Bambach: I’m so excited. I always look at what comes out of the Loeries with interest, because it represents voices and ideas that are so fresh to the London psyche. It’s an important celebration of the best regions that are often under-represented elsewhere.

3. Indeed. How does South African and Middle Eastern advertising then compare on a global level? Where do we shine and where do we need to play catch-up?

Jordan-Bambach: In ingenuity and engagement, it feels as if Africa and Middle East advertising is just as good as anything else out there. I feel like the next horizon is baking more serious, long-term brand strategies into more experimental formats; and giving more importance to the craft of design – finding a design language that truly represents the breadth of cultures and experiences within.

4. Leaping in and focusing on creativity then: What does it mean to you personally, especially with the word ‘creative’ as part of your daily duties?

Jordan-Bambach: Being committed to being interested in all things always. Of always asking questions, uncovering stories and making with your hands. Creativity is an expression and a way of life, not a 9-6 job.

5. That’s for sure. Leave us with something we can implement right away – what’s the best way to get out of a creativity rut?

Jordan-Bambach: Getting out of the office and wandering. Absorbing new things. Speaking with new people. Listening to something you’ve never heard before. Having a mini adventure in your own city, all to yourself.

Colour me creatively inspired.

Some of Jordan-Bambach’s key work at Mr President has been on Maille’s discovery spoons, which use RFID to track your tastebuds; wearable NFC technology within solid silver geese for Grey Goose; Virgin Red, the new app based membership programme; breaking the triangle – why make an ad when you can make a film; and the Body Shop’s Jingle Bells festive feel good film and insight into how Prince Charles treats his mother like a queen on Mother’s Day.

For more on Mr President, watch the showreel embedded below and click here to find out more about the Loeries’ 2016 jury presidents.