AME Awards Grand Jury Spotlight Interview: Jon Neschis

The AME Awards, honoring the World’s Best Advertising & Marketing Effectiveness℠, assembles its powerhouse jury from 5 regions around the world.

Jon Neschis, Managing Director, Jigsaw Media, join’s the 2017 AME Awards global Grand Jury of interdisciplinary creatives charged with selecting the world’s most effective advertising & marketing campaigns. Their job is no easy task; it takes experience, brilliant creative chops and dedication to their craft.

Since opening the shop in 2001, Jon’s worked with brands and agencies in the B2B and B2C space to create storytelling campaigns that build customer loyalty and increase sales efforts. Prior to Jigsaw Media Jon held positions in sales and lead marketing roles for ADWEEK Magazines, Sporting News, Total Sports and Fan Guides.

In the interview below, Jon shares his thoughts on judging, career, his most favorite ad that he created, his personal philsophy andmore!

AME Awards: Why did you agree to judge this year’s AME Awards?

Jon Neschis: I think it’s a great opportunity to bring the perspective of a content marketer to the jury. In my line of work, we utilize so many aspects of a brands DNA to get out messages in a manner that will break through the clutter. I believe my experience and thought process will serve the AME Awards well.

AME Awards: What was a defining moment in your career?

Jon Neschis: Landing Coca-Cola as my first client after opening Jigsaw Media in 2001. I had believed for a long time that brand-owned content was a business unto itself, and that my ideas were what ultimately was helping to win business from big, national brands for the publishers I was employed by. Pitching/winning a multi-year content project with Coke, as a start-up, was an amazing feeling that validated my beliefs.

AME Awards: What’s your favorite ad that you created?

Jon Neschis: I was fortunate to have produced a 16-page insert for Nikon that activated their sponsorship with my favorite baseball team, the New York Mets. The piece was created to say goodbye to Shea Stadium through historical moments, while simultaneously weaving Nikon technology pieces and ads within. It was inserted into a full Sunday run of the NY Daily News, plus street team distribution throughout NYC (1,000,000 dist.) and promoted on TV and in the TV booth by the Mets trio of award-winning announcers. The back cover of the piece featured an ad for Nikon that we created with the headline “Thanks for the Amazin’ Memories” layed over an overhead shot of a full Shea Stadium – a place where I spent a great deal of time throughout my life. It was heartfelt for me personally and an honor to work on.

AME Awards: In your opinion, what is your favorite ad that embodies both creativity and effectiveness?

Jon Neschis: I love the entire World Wildlife Fund campaign starring Painter Christine Grenard. It grabs your attention, keeps it, and rewards it at the end with the amazing artwork she creates of the endangered animals that are being killed senselessly. The ads are so perfectly scored to build the drama, and they really do create a tangible feeling of sadness and anger.

AME Awards: What philosophy drives your career?

Jon Neschis: Think very hard about every project you’re working on for a client. Does the work being created allow the brand to be seen in a positive light without being obnoxious (a content marketing dilemma)? Was the client pleased with the experience of working with you and your team? Did you make their jobs easier or harder? All questions I ask myself that help drive an overall philosophy of being a valuable asset to my clients.