The Vertex Awards Announces Internationally Acclaimed Judging Panel

by Andrew Quinn

It’s time to stop rewarding mediocrity and encourage greatness.

We’ve searched out design luminaries from eight countries and tasked them with holding entrants to a higher standard for packaging design. This is a first of its kind international panel of judges, the creative dream team of packaging design. We’re still accepting nominations for a judge to represent Asia.

The ten international judges include:

Vertex Judges_0009_Daniel Bray Daniel Bray, Creative Director, Marque Brand ConsultantsSYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Bray has over 16 years experience within the creative industry. He specializes in brand creation, packaging design and development, and has worked with Woolworths, ASDA, Morrison’s, Lakeland, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury.

Vertex Judges_0006_Gustavio Piqueira Gustavio Piqueira, principal, Casa Rex SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Piqueira is the most recognized graphic designer in Brazil, receiving over 200 international design awards and serving as consultant to major global companies as a leading trendsetter. He has designed typefaces, illustrated children’s books and written 13 books on various topics.

Vertex Judges_0001_Adrian Whitefoord Adrian Whitefoord, co-founder, Pemberton & Whitefoord (P&W), LONDON, ENGLAND

Whitefoord believes the best design requires a combination of emotion and logic. Pemberton and Whitefoord clients include Tesco, Nestlé, Starbucks and Seicomart.

Vertex Judges_0005_D Leonard David Léonard, Creative Director, CBA BE, PARIS, FRANCE

Léonard has led global creative direction for brands like Yves Rocher, Givenchy, Hennessy, and Parfums Yves Saint Laurent. He enjoys working in different design disciplines while creating brand design consistency that is aesthetically pleasing while serving pragmatic market reality.

Vertex Judges_0003_Koen De Jong Koen de Jong, Founding Director, International Private Label Consult NETHERLANDS

Specializing in strategic direction and project management support for manufacturers and retailers, de Jong has extensive European private label experience. His book, Private Label Uncovered, was nominated for the 2011 Marketing Literature Award.

Vertex Judges_0002_Paula Bunny Paula Bunny, Creative Director, Brother Design AUKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Prior to returning to New Zealand to manage the Foodstuffs New Zealand’s Pams brand, Bunny crafted private brand design for global companies including Johnson & Johnson, Gillette, and Kraft Foods.

Vertex Judges_0007_Nacho Lavernia Nacho Lavernia, Founder/Graphic & Industrial Designer, Lavernia & Cienfuegos VALENCIA, SPAIN

Lavernia has served as president of the Designers of Valencia Association (ADCV) and the Spanish Federation of Design Associations (FESAD). Projects by Lavernia

and his partner, Alberto Cienfuegos, have won Dieline awards (2010) and the Pentawards (2011/12).

Vertex Judges_0004_Rick Barrack Rick Barrack, Chief Creative Officer & Managing Partner, CBX NEW YORK, UNITED STATES

Barrack has twenty years experience in consumer and retail branding, and is the creative vision behind U by Kotex and the rebranding of Duane Reade’s private brand portfolio.

Vertex Judges_0000_Steve Kazanjian Steve Kazanjian, Vice President of Global Creative, MeadWestvaco VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

Kazanjian serves as the creative lead for MWV’s most valuable brand-focused projects. His creative strategy is stunning in its simplicity: connect a brand’s emotional context with consumer purchasing habits. His workshops on innovation within the packaging industry make him a sought-after speaker internationally.

Vertex Judges_0008_Glenn Pfeiffer Glenn Pfeifer, Executive Creative Director, Galileo Global Branding Group, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES

Pfeifer is responsible for brand and creative development for packaging and shopper marketing clients. He has led brand development and package design for numerous retailers across six continents including brands for Meijer, Rite Aid and Kroger. He brings a unique perspective to his work, having worked on marketing creative for a diverse global client list, including Citigroup, Sony, Bacardi and ESPN.

Open to retail owned brands worldwide in any trade channel, the Vertex Awards encourage retailers, agencies, consultants, graphic design firms, manufacturers and brokers to submit their Private Brand entries. For a design to qualify, it must have been introduced in-store between November 2012 and November 2013. Points will be awarded for design, information architecture, originality, structure, and x-factor.

Awards are given based on a numeric score, so if five entries earn enough points to qualify at the bronze level in a given category, all five will receive the Bronze Award. It’s also possible that no entry will score the minimum points needed to earn a Gold Award, in which case, no Gold will be given. The system rewards the best Private Brand package design in the world, not mediocrity.

Winning work will be honored in March on the competition website, in Global Retail Brands’ March print issue, on My Private Brand’s website, www.myprivatebrand.com, and on the Global Retail Brands‘ website, www.globalretailmag.com. In addition, all winning entries will appear in a book to be available on Amazon.

Entries are $95 and will be accepted October 15 through January 15, 2014.

Complete information and entry forms can be found at www.vertexawards.org.

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