Lia Legend Award 2025: Matt’s Dörte Spengler-Ahrens Wins
Dörte Spengler-Ahrens Named LIA Legend for Industry Leadership and Creative Vision
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Dörte Spengler-Ahrens, a prominent figure in the advertising and creative industries, has been announced as the recipient of the London International Awards (LIA) Legend Award. This prestigious honor recognizes not only exceptional creative achievements but also outstanding leadership in fostering talent and shaping the future of the industry.the award will be presented on September 27th, 2025, at Encore @ Wynn, Las vegas, during LIA’s 40th annual judging and Creative LIAisons programme.
Beyond Creative Wins: The Essence of a LIA Legend
The LIA Legend Award distinguishes itself from typical creative accolades. It’s not solely about a portfolio of extraordinary work; it’s about a lasting legacy of mentorship, vision, and generosity. LIA seeks to honor individuals who have demonstrably invested in the growth of others and elevated the standards of the creative landscape. True greatness, according to LIA, lies in inspiring the next generation of industry leaders.
This year, marking LIA’s 40th anniversary, the institution specifically sought to recognize a woman who has broken barriers and left an indelible mark on the industry, reflecting LIA’s own history as the only woman-founded awards show.
Dörte Spengler-Ahrens: A Champion for Diversity and Emerging Talent
Spengler-Ahrens’ selection as the LIA Legend is a testament to her unwavering commitment to these principles. She is widely recognized as a champion of nurturing emerging talent and a dedicated advocate for promoting women within the advertising and creative fields.Her influence extends beyond her professional roles, as evidenced by her frequent participation as a speaker at Creative LIAisons, where she consistently emphasizes the importance of dedication and striving for excellence. She embodies a philosophy of going the extra mile, leading by example with the belief that “there’s always a better solution and it’s worth putting in the extra effort.”
Her leadership as president of ADC Germany was notably impactful. During her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives to foster greater diversity, equity, and inclusivity within the organization, firmly believing in the power of “Changing the world with creativity.”
Industry Praise and Recognition
The announcement has been met with widespread acclaim from industry peers. barbara Levy, President of LIA, highlighted Spengler-Ahrens’ exceptional qualities: “Dörte stands tall in the industry. She is passionate about creativity; she is passionate about nurturing young talent; she is passionate about giving women in the industry a leg up. And she has done all these things in spades.” Levy further emphasized Spengler-Ahrens’ dedication, comparing it to the sentiment expressed by German author Erich Kastner: “There’s nothing good, if you don’t do it.”
Jean-Remy von matt, founder and supervisory board member of Jung von Matt, echoed this sentiment, stating that bringing Spengler-Ahrens to the agency was “certainly one of my best ideas,” praising her unique combination of talent and determination.
A Creative Icon Joins the LIA Honor Roll
LIA proudly welcomes Dörte Spengler-Ahrens to its esteemed honor roll of LIA Legends. the award ceremony, held at Encore @ Wynn in Las Vegas, will be attended by LIA jurors, over 125 emerging talents from the Creative LIAisons program, creative excellence managers, and representatives from the global trade press.
Spengler-Ahrens’ recognition serves as an inspiration to all those striving to make a meaningful impact on the creative world, demonstrating that true success lies not only in exceptional work but also in a commitment to building a more inclusive and vibrant industry for future generations.