D&AD U-Turns, Bans Russian Award Entries

Creative organization D&AD has U-turned on its decision to accept Russian entries to its 2022 awards. The nonprofit said last week that it would continue to welcome entries from the country, but promised to donate fees to the Art Directors Club of Ukraine. Now, it has decided to ban entries from Russia entirely as the country continues to escalate aggression on Ukraine. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce D&AD is no longer able to accept participation from Russia in the 2022 D&AD Awards and New Blood Awards,” D&AD said in a statement. “As the conflict has continued to escalate at an alarming rate over the past week, we have reconsidered our position and have made the decision to remove all Russian entries from both of our awards shows this year and will not be able to allow participation from Russian companies or individuals.” The business will uphold its promise to donate to the Art Directors Club “if and when they are able to accept it,” or alternatively to initiatives supporting displaced Ukrainian creatives. Elsewhere, New York-based nonprofit The One Club, which produces awards including The One Show and the ADC Annual Awards, has offered refunds of fees for all entries submitted from Ukraine. It will also provide all of the club’s networking resources and other support programming at no cost to the Ukrainian creative community and make a "sizable" donation to Ukrainian NGO Come Back Alive to help support relief efforts for the country's armed forces."We recognize these actions are small in the face of the tragic situation in the Ukraine, but we are committed to doing all we can to help with these and other initiatives to come," The One Club said in a statement. On March 4, global advertising awards festival Cannes Lions cut Russia off from participating in its 2022 awards following President Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine. Agencies and brands from the country are no longer eligible for a trophy this year. Lions organizers also announced that Russian delegates would be banned from attending the festival. Supporting creatives globally The One Club said its support for the global creative community extended to agencies and creatives in Russia who stand against the war and oppression, and "have nothing to do with the horrific actions of their state leaders." The organization said: "We firmly believe positive change can only come through dialogue and the exchange of ideas, and raising these voices rather than excluding them should be our goal. Our sincere thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, and we hope for a swift end to the invasion and peaceful resolution to this horrendous crisis." D&AD, meanwhile, said it intended to keep lines of communication open with Russian colleagues in opposition to the war. As part of this, it will refund entry fees, including to students and tutors of its New Blood Awards, which support young talent in the industry. In addition to its own sanctions on Russian entries, Cannes Lions has established a digital talent directory for creatives affected by war.Ukrainians who want to showcase their work can sign up here. Cannes Lions Bans Russian Delegates and Entries from 2022 Awards

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In a U-Turn, D&AD Bans Russian Award Entries

It joins Cannes Lions in refusing to accept entries from Russia for 2022

Rebecca Stewart

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Rebecca Stewart