EPICA HOLDS PARIS SHOWCASE AND ROUND TABLE

The Epica Creative Showcase in Paris on April 18 was preceded by a fascinating round table debate about the influence of the workplace on creativity. The event was sponsored by Adobe Stock and hosted by WeWork at its brand new collaborative space in rue La Fayette.

The round table debate featured Rémi Babinet, co-founder and co-president of BETC, Jean-François Sacco, co-founder of Rosapark, Christine Chagneau-Pancrazi, senior marketing manager at Adobe, and Séverin Naudet, director general of WeWork. It was moderated by Epica’s editorial director Mark Tungate.

Rémi Babinet described how BETC’s new headquarters in a converted warehouse in the suburb of Pantin encouraged creative exchange by providing a fluid and flexible working environment. He spoke about how the agency aimed to play a positive role in the regeneration of the local community.

Meanwhile, Jean-François Sacco spoke about Rosapark’s decision to create a book about the restaurants and artisans in its own local community, the Village Paul Bert in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. “We feel it’s vital that our employees are inspired by their environment,” he said.

Presenting the WeWork concept, which provides shared office space around the world for freelancers, entrepreneurs and start-ups, Séverin Naudet pointed out: “We serve a global community linked by an attitude. They feel they have more in common with a young entrepreneur in Berlin than they do with a more traditional business in their own city.”

Finally, Adobe’s Christine Chagneau-Pancrazi observed that the company’s digital tools had made nomadic working practices a reality.

The debate was followed by drinks and a screening of the latest Epica winners. 2016 saw the 30th anniversary of the Epica Awards, the only global creative competition judged by journalists who write about advertising, marketing and design. Mark Tungate said: “For 30 years, Epica has been the only opportunity for agencies to have their work judged by an objective panel of journalists who are passionate about advertising and creativity.”

The Grand Prix winners in 2016 were “Simplified stories” by DDB Brussels for Alzheimerliga (Design); “The Next Rembrandt” by J. Walter Thompson Amsterdam for ING (Digital); “Kenzo World” for Kenzo World Eau de Parfum by Kenzo Parfums (Film); “Brad is Single” by TRY for Norwegian Airlines (Print); and “Doors of Thrones” by Publicis London for Tourism Ireland (Outdoor).

For full details of the 2016 winners see: http://winners.epica-awards.com/2016

The 2017 Epica Awards will open for entries on July 1.