The D&AD presidency is a high-profile platform to advocate for change in design and advertising. Brody will use his term to lobby for more support for the education of young creatives, while Jordan-Bambach, who runs the 9000-strong She Says network, will take the baton from Rosie Arnold to champion the role of women in the industry.
Brody is arguably the world's best-known graphic designer. He co-founded style bible The Face in the 1980s and his work featured heavily in the V&A's 2012 Postmodernism exhibition. He is the current Dean of the Royal College of Art's School of Communication, and was presented the D&AD President's Award by then-president Simon Sankarayya in June 2011.
Jorrdan-Bambach founded the original "geek girl" hyperzine in the early 1990s and is a leading digital strategist and creative director. She is currently a board-level creative director of Dare. As founder of She Says, her ambition is to encourage more women into the digital creative industries. New Media Age named hers as the Greatest Individual Contribution to the Industry Award in 2011.
Brody said: "This presidential year presents an extraordinary opportunity for D&AD. In its 51st year, the task is to redefine the core remit for D&AD, looking specifically at its role in education and the creative community. We will be more campaigning, more vocal and more proactive in key areas. The year ahead will see the launch of the Foundation, a major development for D&AD, aimed at supplementing its existing vital education activities through direct contribution to student bursaries and fees. Other key issues to be explored through the year include the discussion of the future role of digital in society, support for paid employment for interns, equality opportunity and development, and the continued evolution of the White Pencil Award."
D&AD's CEO, Tim Lindsay, said: "After a great 50th birthday we're looking to take D&AD forward and capitalise on the opportunities created by our increased profile. The progressive agendas presented by D&AD president Neville Brody and deputy president Laura Jordan-Bambach will help push the industry kicking and screaming into the future. These are tough economic times with enormous challenges for creative businesses and D&AD will be at the forefront of helping to make the necessary changes our industry needs."
