Dave Gick fell on his sword when he realised his winning entry broke the rules by having some elements printed overseas. He approached the Pride in Print organisers and alerted them to the discrepancy, asking that his award be withdrawn.
The organisers of Pride in Print praised the principal of Auckland-based Print & Graphics for his integrity. In a joint statement, organiser Sue Archibald and awards chair, Scott Porter, noted his honesty.
The principles of Pride In Print champion honesty and transparency. It is a reflection of those principles that Dave chose to voluntarily bring this to the attention of the Awards Committee. He had entered the presentation piece in certain sub categories and intended only the New Zealand-printed elements to be judged. When he realised the piece as a whole had been judged, and knew that certain parts had been prepared overseas, he consulted the rules and realised a discrepancy had occurred.
It is commendable Dave has taken the steps to withdraw from such a huge prize as Supreme Winner. The Awards Committee are in complete agreement in taking decisive action, and the Supreme Prize will now go to Southern Colour Print.
Only items printed in New Zealand can be entered in Pride In Print. Some elements of Logick’s Babich Wines’ 100-year wine presentation piece had been printed overseas. The Awards Committee has now decided to bestow the Supreme Award to Southern Colour Print for its New Zealand Post stamps work that was printed on the Adidas fabric worn by the World Cup-winning All Blacks in 2015. The All Black stamps won the coveted Industry Development Category and were highly praised by the Awards Supreme Panel judges.
“The final decision on the Supreme Award Winner had come down to the wire at judging between the two jobs and the Logick entry was considered to just have the advantage,” Said Archibald.
“With Logick now advising that part of this work was produced by an overseas supplier it is clear the judges’ final decision would have been influenced if this information was known at the time and therefore Southern Colour Print’s entry would have won the day.”
There will be an official presentation of the award to Southern Colour Print at its Dunedin plant.
The kerfuffle comes as the Australian Media Super National Print Awards get underway tonight in Melbourne. A total of 101 Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be handed out at the ceremony in the Plaza Ballroom in Collins Street.
In addition to the printing awards there will be keen interest in the five finalists for the Media Super Young Executive Award. Finalists from all states will learn their fate for what has become one of the most prestigious awards of the industry.