Rey Tiempo Reflects on LIA 2026 in Las Vegas
Rey Tiempo, a member of the inaugural jury for the newly established Gaming category at the London International Awards (LIA), shared insights from his experience in Las Vegas. He emphasized the significance of hosting a standalone gaming jury, which marks a milestone for the event.
Timeo highlighted the diverse categories they judged, including Evolution, Creative Use of Data, and the new Gaming category. Under the leadership of Jury President Marco Venturelli, the discussions around these categories were described as “spirited” and “layered,” leading to shifts in perspectives among jurors. Tiempo noted that the jury awarded the first-ever Gaming Grand LIA to the entry “Only in Battlefield,” a decision he appreciated as reflective of quality in gaming-related work.
In addition to his jury duties, Tiempo participated in a panel discussion at Creative LIAisons alongside fellow juror Lewis Tutssel, moderated by Laura Swinton-Gupta of Little Black Book. During their talk, they addressed the prevalent challenges in the gaming industry, specifically the misperceptions surrounding gamers. Tiempo argued that the advertising sector has been slow to shed outdated stereotypes, which can lead to inferior or exploitative advertising content. He stressed the importance of understanding gaming culture from an insider’s perspective when evaluating gaming-related advertising.
Furthermore, Tiempo reflected on the sense of community at the awards, noting the connections formed with both old friends and new acquaintances during the event. He expressed appreciation for seeing fellow creatives, particularly those from Asian backgrounds, making notable contributions in the global landscape.
Another highlight of his visit was attending a Metallica concert at The Sphere, which he described as a remarkable integration of creativity and technology. Tiempo shared his enthusiasm for both the band and the venue, expressing joy that the timing coincided with his birthday week.
Concluding his reflections, Tiempo remarked on the nature of the Las Vegas experience, pondering whether the numerous positive occurrences during his trip were mere coincidences or indicative of a deeper connection between his passions and his work. He affirmed his guiding principle of “Playing While Working,” thanking LIA for another memorable year.
