advertising'. Thaidumrong's appraisal of French and the Toronto controversy stemmed from her 14 January 2009 ihaveanidea.com interview and she offered this: “Contrary to what people may think and have been saying for the last couple of years, he's very supportive of woman creatives. I can guarantee that because I am actually one of the women he helped. I wouldn't stand where I am today if it wasn't for him.” When asked by the Agency. Asia interviewer, 'Neil, you must feel vindicated that one of Asia’s most celebrated stars credited you – and only you – as her inspiration.' - French responded by saying, 'I never felt in need of vindication, actually. Don’t forget that the now-infamous occasion was fomented by a woman who had previously had an ear-bashing for being away on long leave when I visited the office. It was, palpably, a most efficient revenge … but had the film of the entire evening been made available, anyone with a sense of humour or irony would have seen the pottiness of the reaction.' World Press Awards French is the founder of the new advertising award-show, "The World Press Awards', which will be limited to advertising that appears solely in the print media. The judges will be Jeremy Craigen, of DDB, Mark Tutssel of Leo Burnett, Erik Vervroegen of TBWA, Tham Khai Meng of Ogilvy, Marcello Serpa of AlmapBBDO, and Graham Warsop of The Jupiter Drawing Room. French has also briefly served as manager of the British Heavy metal band Judas Priest. References External links Neil French personal website ihaveanidea's interview with Neil French A Night with Neil French event review Brett McKenzie interviews Neil at Cannes more than 6 months after the 6 October event 2009 interview with Agency.Asia Magazine Year of birth missing (living people) Living people 21st-century British businesspeople British advertising executives