Passionaries Unite!

Recently at a December AWNY (Advertising Women of New York) breakfast on Media Integration, Moderator Kim Kadlec, Chief Media Officer at Johnson & Johnson, introduced the word “passionary.” In fact, Kim named her panel “Passionaries Unite: Insights Out.” She used the new term to describe a person who synthesizes diverse information, then creates a new vision or solution. That individual also puts enough energy behind the newly-created idea to actually make it happen.

I can’t think of a more perfect term to describe our 2007 Internationalists of the Year. Despite their diverse backgrounds and geographies, passion is the thread that unifies all of their actions. And that passion is often the determining factor in creating their successes. As the industry becomes more complex through technology, measurement and changing consumer desires, it is satisfying to know that a core emotion can be found at the center of those who are our leaders, innovators and achievers.

These 2007 Internationalists are advocates of international projects that simply would not have happened without their energy, collaborative thinking and belief in their brands. Few aspects of business require as much passion. inter national ist’s mission is to showcase the people and ideas behind today’s successful cross-border ad campaigns and breakthrough marketing accomplishments. Connecting with these individuals and understanding their work has unquestionably advanced the business of communications. We congratulate the 2007 Internationalists of the Year, today’s “passionaries.” Deborah Malone, publisher