Emma Wilkie has been Donald Gunn’s collaborator and co-presenter of The Gunn Report since January 2003. As managing director of the famed benchmark of advertising excellence globally, Wilkie was in Mumbai last week to witness the Kyoorius Creative Awards held last Friday. Earlier in the day, she also had lunch with a section of senior agency captains. The fact that the Gunn Report managing director was present at Kyoorius led to some speculation whether the report will now factor in the winners of the Kyoorius Creative Awards in the advertising, digital and media categories. Excerpts from a quick chat with Emma Wilkie:
So what brings you to Kyoorius?
I just came to see what goes on at the festival, and I have to say the size of the event is fantastic. Their connection with D&AD and Tim Lindsey says a lot about Kyoorius, so I wanted to see it for myself.
Does your presence confirm murmurs that the Kyoorius awards are going to be part of the GUNN Report’s scrutiny?
We never publicise the shows which are included in the report. Obviously, Kyoorius is a relatively new show so it would be. I am doing my job as an ambassador to see how it is running and what is going on. That is why I am here.
You have been tracking India for a number of years. What is your view about creativity in India?
I think it is fantastic. In the last few years, it has definitely joined the global stage in creativity. It has an exciting future.
But we do not seem to get any major awards on the international circuit.
[It will happen] slowly, I think. The UK, US and Europe are losing their grip and at Cannes you see plenty of work from smaller countries, so there is no barrier now to do well in Cannes. So, it’s just a matter of time before India makes its mark at Cannes.
How big is the Indian market for the GUNN Report?
Our work is done globally. My work is to make contact with small and independent agencies and find more local and independent agencies.
Any word of advice to Indian agencies on how they could possibly be doing better in the GUNN Report?
Keep doing creative work. If you do creative work, the cream rises to the top. The awards and recognition will follow.