These renowned industry leaders will join James Hurman, author of The Case for Creativity, in a Google Hangout panel discussion, which will be moderated by Julie Maunder – the founder of SA’s fast-growing creative portfolio hub, www.ididthatad.com.

Keith Weed, who started out with Unilever in the early 1980s, is known across the globe for pushing creative boundaries. He has filled senior positions in the UK, France and the USA, as well as international marketing and management roles.

Unilever unveiled its ‘Crafting Brands for Life’ strategy last year, which is all about delivering magic along with logic. Weed feels that they have just about got the balance right, but still sees room to go further on the creativity.

Unilever has scooped numerous awards over the years, including 2007 Film Grand Prix at Cannes. In 2012 alone, Unilever agencies won 22 Lions at the International Advertising Festival. But, the award Weed particularly hankers for is a Creative Effectiveness Cannes Grand Prix.

John O'Keeffe, who sees himself as a practical man, is one of the most distinguished creative directors in Britain with a reputation for inspiring original and inventive work. O’Keeffe joined WPP after 18 successful years at Bartle Bogle Hegarty. In 2011, WPP won the inaugural Holding Company of the Year award at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Prior to that, during his tenure as executive creative director at BBH, they won 21 Agency of the Year Awards and O’Keeffe has been named Campaign magazine's Creative Director of the Year twice running. Between 2000 and 2006, income and operating profits doubled and the agency has become one of the largest in London.

In addition to the Google Hangout session, the audience can expect inspirational and thought provoking talks from another six creative leaders, including the Loeries four international jury chairmen: Tony Granger, global chief creative officer, Y&ampR, New York; David Nobay, creative chairperson, Droga5, Sydney; Chris Lee, founder and creative director, Asylum, Singapore; and Alex Schill, global chief creative officer, Serviceplan Group, Hamburg. Plus, John Hunt, worldwide creative director, TBWA\Worldwide, Johannesburg and Cecelia Wogan-Silva, director of Independent Ad Agency Relations, Google, USA.

Seminar tickets are selling fast – don’t miss this opportunity to share the insights of some of the world’s greatest creative leaders. Tickets are just R500 (student price R150) and are available at www.theloerieawards.co.za.

Awards tickets are sold separately and one can still purchase Live Relay tickets for just R250 – giving one access to the live feed of both awards ceremonies, which takes place in Auditorium 2 at the CTICC on Saturday and at The Official Party on Sunday.