58th Newspaper Advertising Day Commemorative Ceremony Held

The Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association held the 58th Newspaper Advertising Day commemorative ceremony at the Tokyo Prince Hotel in Minato Ward on October 20. Approximately 610 attendees from newspapers, advertising clients, and advertising agencies participated. The event included the award ceremony for the 35th Newspaper Advertising Awards and the 2015 Newspaper Advertising Creative Contest.

Chairman Kojiro Shiraishi (President of Yomiuri Shimbun Group Headquarters and Chairman of Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters) delivered the opening address, stating, "We will continue to strive for the development of newspaper advertising while leveraging the functions and comprehensive strength of newspaper companies."

Guest speaker Akira Ohira, Chairman of the All Japan Advertising Federation (Advisor to Taisho Pharmaceutical), took the stage. He remarked, "This year was interesting, with increased significance and interest in newspaper advertising, including the award-winning works, and a broadening reach. Looking toward 2020, I hope you will further enhance creativity, contemplate the role of newspaper advertising to create new concepts, energize Japan, and contribute to regional revitalization."

　
Following this, Tatsuya Takashima, Chairman of the Japan Advertising Association (Chairman of Dentsu Inc.), stated: "At the 'Tomorrow's Front Page Exhibition' held in Osaka City to coincide with the Newspaper Convention, it was striking to see young people picking up newspapers. Through such events, I hope we can cultivate as many supporters and fans of newspapers as possible. As an advertising agency, we will also strive to enhance the value of newspapers."

At the Newspaper Advertising Awards ceremony, the Grand Prize, Advertising Award, and Excellence Award in the Advertiser category, along with the Advertising Award and Encouragement Award in the Newspaper Publisher Planning category, announced on September 3rd, were presented. Masahiko Uotani, President of Shiseido, which won the Grand Prize for "2015 Corporate Advertising: 50 Selfies of Lady Gaga," stated in his acceptance speech, "It was a challenging project, but we achieved it through teamwork. We want to pursue a world of communication and marketing that represents Japan."

(From left) Chairman Shiraishi, Shiseido President Uotani, Executive Officer Takahiro Hayashi

In his commentary, Judge Yoshifumi Nakajima (President, Wave Creation) stated, "Works that materialized digitally created images on paper opened up a new realm of expression."

Following this, the award ceremony was held for the seven winning entries in the newspaper advertising creative contest themed around "money." From a total of 1,181 entries, the Grand Prize was awarded to Mr. Muneyuki Imanishi (Seeds Advertising Production Company) for "Expiration Dates Apply to Money Too." Jury Chairman Takayuki Soeda (Director, Soeda Design Production) commented, "The Grand Prize winner will likely spark debate among viewers. True advertising is expression that allows for diverse interpretations."

Winning entries from the Newspaper Advertising Awards and Newspaper Advertising Creative Contest can be viewed in the association's Newspaper Advertising Data Archive ( http://www.pressnet.or.jp/adarc/ ).