Freelancers Unite Awards return to honour Canada's freelance creative workforce
TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Following the overwhelming success of 2016's inaugural event, Toronto-based creative communications agency, CO-OP, is bringing back its Freelancers Unite (FU) Awards for a second year. Shining a light on freelancers in the communications industry, the Awards will honour the unsung heroes of Canada's creative landscape.
Kicking off today with a call for submissions, the FU Awards invite the advertising and communications industry to nominate exceptional candidates who have contributed to creative communications excellence in Canada over the past 12 months. Written and video entries submitted to freelancersunite.ca, before January 12, 2018, must answer a number of questions, with special attention paid to: "What makes this freelancer great?"
The FU Awards underline the progression of the "gig economy" inside the Canadian advertising and communications industry – with more and more creative professionals being attracted to favourable hours and a healthy work-life balance. And the "rise of freelance" is not a phenomenon limited to creative industries. A 2017 study, commissioned by the Freelancers Union and Upwork, titled "Freelancing in America," predicts that by 2027, more than half of the U.S. workforce will be made up of independent contractors. In Canada, an Intuit study found that by 2020 – just three years away – freelancers and contractors will make up 45 per cent of the workforce.
"More and more, the emergent freelancer workforce is driving big success in the creative communications industry," says Peter Brough, managing director, CO-OP. "Every year, there's a host of freelancers helping produce award-winning work for brands across Canada and our mission with FU is to celebrate this ever-growing roster of independent talent and their contribution to Canadian creative industries."
Open to all active freelancers – including copywriters, art directors, content creators, project managers, public relations consultants, graphic designers, media planners, web developers and other industry 'independents,' the Awards will once again spotlight a wide array of freelancers as the initiative expands its appeal among various advertising and communications disciplines. Winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges – made up of industry professionals – who are tasked with reviewing nominations against pre-set criteria, including demonstration of Partnership, Creativity, and Impact.
Creative Campaign:
Launching today with four spots and a dedicated PR/social campaign, this year's FU creative was developed under the direction of 2016 FU award-winning creative director, David Horovitch, who counts himself a proud freelancer among CO-OP's extensive talent network. Horovitch worked closely with director, Paul Constantakis, along with a talented crew and cast of real freelancers, to develop a series of short videos that shine a light on the sometimes thankless and unglamorous life of a freelancer.
1) We Don't Need Desks
Link to spot: https://youtu.be/70IxYtuk_PA
2) We Never Miss Deadlines
Link to Spot: https://youtu.be/J8tr8-Uyk1s
3) When You're Short on Staff
Link to spot: https://youtu.be/gTFpBMF5SDw
4) We'll Take on Any Brief
Link to spot: https://youtu.be/YEjpt-jbEqg
Video Credits:
- Adrian Bellair (Director of Photography)
- Paul Constantakis (Writer/Director)
- Kari Hollend (Executive Producer)
- David Horovitch (Creative Director/Writer)
- Mike Kirsh (Producer)
- Jared Kuempar (Freelancer)
- Britney Mackey (Freelancer)
- Stef Mallaci (Actor)
- James Loftus (Actor)
- Jorge Midence (Make Up)
- Dustin Woods (Freelancer)
- Apollo Studios (Music and Sound Design)
- Morrison, A Mile Inn Boutique (Production)
"Freelancing allows talented professionals to choose the brands and agencies they want to work with, ultimately allowing for a more inspired product," says freelance creative director and writer, David Horovitch. "Despite contributing to some of the best ideas and work in the industry, freelancers tend not to get a lot of recognition. So, when CO-OP asked me to get involved in FU this year, I was totally up for it."
Timing:
Nominations will be open from Wednesday, December 6, 2017 until Friday, January 12, 2018. The FU Awards will culminate in a ceremonial event at WeWork Toronto in February, 2018, where ten best-in-class freelancers will be awarded for their contribution to industry excellence.
"Our FU movement is still in its infancy," adds Brough. "However, the industry feedback and support we received for our inaugural show – with hundreds of nominations from all across Canada – was unprecedented. Clearly the concept resonated among creative professionals who are tapped into the gig economy throughout the country, and who deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the industry as a whole. As an agency that works closely and openly with freelancers at the top of their craft, it's rewarding for us to provide credit where it's long overdue."
Connect with the Freelancers Unite Awards:
URL: freelancersunite.ca
Instagram: @wearecoopagency
Facebook: @wearecoopagency
Twitter: @wearecoopagency
Hashtag: #FUAwards
ABOUT the Freelancers Unite Awards
The Freelancers Unite (FU) Awards is an awards platform created to honour top freelance talent in the Canadian advertising and marketing communications industry. The Awards are founded and presented by CO-OP, a Toronto-based creative communications agency, and are made possible with the help of our generous partners, including: Apollo Studios, Morrison, a Mile Inn Boutique, Berkeley and WeWork. Visit freelancersunite.ca for more information and to nominate an amazing freelancer.
ABOUT CO-OP
CO-OP is a collaborative, integrated agency partnership. Headquartered in Toronto, the agency specializes in creative marketing and communications solutions, including: advertising, strategic planning, design, CRM, interactive, social media, digital response and public relations. The agency offers a future-forward business model that seamlessly flexes and shifts team structure and size based on client needs, while celebrating creative collaboration outside its walls. CO-OP combines the heavy-lifting capabilities of a traditional agency with the agility of a modern collective to produce captivating creative and deliver uncompromising business results. Visit wearecoop.ca for more information.
SOURCE CO-OP Advertising
or to schedule an interview, please contact: JAMES LOFTUS, CO-OP, 416.898.4579, [email protected]; JESSICA HUYNH, CO-OP, 647.985.5378, [email protected]
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