The 27-year-old Lotus Awards program, which celebrates the breakthrough creative work of individuals, companies and agencies in British Columbia, is taking another hiatus, just two years after the last one.
The Institute of Communication Agencies (ICA) on Monday said it would be working with the Lotus Awards event committee to revisit and retool the initiative for 2017, when new leadership for the ICA is in place. Gillian Graham recently announced she was stepping down as CEO of the ICA, as did Jani Yates, the ICA’s longtime president.
“The ICA remains fully committed to the western market and its local members in the industry,” the organization said in a release.
In 2014, the Lotus Awards took a similar break as industry players told Marketing there had been a lack of interest and funding amid concerns about the integrity of the program.
Last November, however, the program returned with a redesigned trophy, new categories, judging from professionals outside of B.C. who voted online and a series of “Lotus Talks” sessions to complement the celebration.
A social campaign for Molson Canadian called #AnythingForHockey by Rethink emerged as the big winner for 2015 and more than 600 guests attended the live ceremony, the ICA said.
While the Lotus Awards have been postponed, the ICA said it is moving ahead with the next iteration of the Cassies Awards and FFWD Ad Week early next year.
