Good writing is rare so good writers deserve recognition. The ADCC's yearly copywriting award is named for Michael O'Reilly, one of the best we've known.

Michael graduated from Sheridan's advertising program and began his career as an artistic director. Quickly though, his enthusiasm and talent for words coaxed him to become a full-time copywriter. Whether funny, factual, or emotionally moving, Michael's work was always conceptually fresh and lovingly written. Michael was opinionated and critical, but dedicated, witty, and generous.
He was a student of the industry in a way that few are—he'd read every last bit of copy, everywhere, and he always made time to challenge and support young writers.

In 1999 Michael died of cystic fibrosis. The very next year we created the Michael O'Reilly Copywriting Award in honour of the talent, dedication, and generosity he brought to this profession. Having had only fourteen years in the business he'd won hundreds of awards from around the world and inspired countless friends and colleagues.
Michael O'Reilly Past Recipients
 
2011
Gold
Agency: Rethink
Title: Cabbage
Writer: Chris Booth
 
Gold
Agency: Grey Canada
Title: Gord
Writer: Shane Ogilvie
 
Silver
Agency: Leo Burnett, Toronto
Title: Love/Hate
Writer: Steve Persico
 
Silver
Agency: Dare
Title: Goat Milk Machine
Writer: Anthony Atkinson, Sean Atkinson
 
Silver
Agency: Juniper Park
Title: Fashion Kitty
Writer: Tom Greco
Merit
Agency: Juniper Park
Title: Fashion Kitty/Unicorn/Space Life
Writer: Tom Greco
 
Merit
Agency: Cossette
Title: Crimp & Curl/Tarred & Leathered/Girls, Girls, Girls
Writer: Sean Atkinson
 
Merit
Agency: Cundari
Title: World's Longest Banner
Writer: Brian Murray
 
2009
Gold
Agency: GREY Canada
Title: Barbell
Writer: Jonathan Careless
 
Gold
Agency: TBWA\Vancouver
Title: The Overanalyzing the Film People/The Not Really Into Foreign Films People/The Seat-Saving People
Writer: Addie Gillespie, Jon Murray
 
Silver
Agency: Bensimon Byrne
Title: This Is Our League
Writer: David Rosenberg
 
Merit
Agency: john st.
Title: The Official-Looking Handbook
Writer: Chris Hirsch, Kurt Mills
 
2007
Gold
Agency: DDB Canada, Toronto
Title: Gardening Tips/Decorating Tips/Housekeeping Tips
Writer: Chris Booth, Joel Pylypiw
 
Merit
Agency: TBWA\Toronto
Title: Terry Fox Run
Writer: Jonathan Careless
 
2005
Gold
Agency: ZiG
Title: Combo
Writer: Michael Clowater
 
Merit
Agency: DDB Canada, Vancouver
Title: Happy/Hate/Love
Writer: Paul Little
 
2003
Gold
Agency: Axmith McIntyre Wicht
Title: President's Letter
Writer: Brian Howlett
 
Merit
Agency: TAXI
Title: Collector Plates
Writer: Terry Drummond
 
2001
Silver
Agency: MacLaren McCann
Title: Beeswax/Mommy Mommy/Oh My Gosh
Writer: David Hamilton
 
Merit
Agency: Palmer Jarvis DDB Vancouver
Title: Office
Writer: James Lee
 
2010
Silver
Agency: Juniper Park
Title: Briefcase
Writer: Tom Greco
 
Silver
Agency: Juniper Park
Title: Palms
Writer: Tom Greco
 
Merit
Agency: Leo Burnett, Toronto
Title: Too Rich
Writer: Steve Persico
 
Merit
Agency: Leo Burnett, Toronto
Title: Don't Do Laundry
Writer: Steve Persico
 
Merit
Agency: Leo Burnett, Toronto
Title: Don't Do Laundry/Never Get Dirty/Too Rich
Writer: Steve Persico
2008
Gold
Agency: Leo Burnett, Toronto
Title: Score/Schedule/Review
Writer: Steve Persico
 
Merit
Agency: DDB Canada, Toronto
Title: Embarassment/Habits/Urges
Writer: Matt Antonello
 
2006
Gold
Agency: Dentsu Canada Inc.
Title: Moments
Writer: Glen Hunt
 
2004
Gold
Agency: TAXI
Title: Score/Schedule/Review
Writer: Pete Breton
 
Merit
Agency: MacLaren McCann, Vancouver
Title: Chair/Tickets/Work on TV
Writer: Hagan Ainsworth
 
Merit
Agency: TAXI
Title: Review
Writer: Pete Breton
 
2002
Gold
Agency: TAXI
Title: Ticket/Toilet/Matches
Writer: Jonathan Careless
 
2000
Merit
Agency: TAXI
Title: Dog Biting
Writer: Zak Mroueh
 
Sonic Boom Creative Media Nabs  
|  home  |  site map  |  privacy policy  |  terms of use  |  contact us  |  subscribe  |
© 1949-2011 The Advertising & Design Club of Canada
344 Bloor Street West, Suite 205, Toronto, ON, CA M5S 3A7 • Tel: 416-423-4113 • Fax: 416-423-3362 • Email: info@theadcc.ca