Events & Awards

And the 2018 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement Goes To …

Events & AwardsJun 02, 2017

And the 2018 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement Goes To …

Sally Morrison, the current director of sales and marketing for the Americas for Gemfields and the architect behind some of the jewelry industry’s most compelling marketing campaigns.

2017_Sally_Morrison.jpg
Sally Morrison is the recipient of the 2018 Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement. She will be honored at the Gem Awards gala, scheduled to take place Jan. 19, 2018, in New York.

New York--It’s not hard to figure out where Sally Morrison is working.

Just take the most buzzed-about piece on the red carpet, trace it back to the company that supplied the gemstone or metals, and there’ll you’ll find her, working behind the scenes to buoy the public’s appreciation for beautiful gems and jewelry.

Morrison, who started her jewelry career at the Diamond Information Center and has spent the last 15 years marketing fine jewelry, is the 2018 recipient of Jewelers of America’s Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Chosen by the Gem Awards committee, the honor goes to someone who “has accumulated a career’s worth of contributions to the fine jewelry and watch industry,” and set a standard of excellence that inspires.

“We are honored to present the Gem Award for Lifetime Achievement to Sally Morrison, who is so widely respected throughout the industry,” said Norman Miller, Gem Awards chair. “Sally’s work in developing iconic marketing campaigns furthers the Gem Awards’ mission of raising the visibility and status of fine jewelry and watches, making her the perfect recipient of the award.”

For Morrison, who is now working as the director of sales and marketing in the Americas for colored gemstone miner Gemfields, accepting the award brings forth opposing emotions.

First, it’s a little bit uncomfortable to step into the spotlight when one’s entire career has been about staying out of it or, even, making the person operating said spotlight invisible.

“I feel like the most successful accomplishment of a marketing campaign is that it doesn’t reveal the person or the agency behind it,” she said. “For me, it’s always been about trying to be super-effective and not being too obvious in that mix.”

But, on the other hand, there’s the recognition of the fact that the person behind the work does deserve to be commended.

“There have been many times in my career that I probably haven’t, for whatever reason, gotten credit for something I’ve done. And, on that hand, it’s wonderful to be acknowledged.”

Raised in and outside of London, Morrison attended Wadham College in Oxford.

She moved to the United States in 1983 and worked as an au pair before getting a part-time job at the organization that would become amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

She rose to the level of executive vice president of external affairs before leaving in 1998 to become the senior vice president

of international publicity at Miramax, working to promote films like “Cider House Rules,” “Kids” and “Scary Movie 2.”

In 2002, Morrison got what would become the first of a string of high-profile jobs heading some of the biggest marketing campaigns in jewelry.

She was appointed director, and then director-in-charge, of the Diamond Information Center (DIC) at advertising agency JWT, the now-defunct entity that served as the marketing arm of De Beers in the United States when anti-trust issues kept the company from operating here directly.

Morrison led the team responsible for pushing De Beers’s ads, complete with the iconic tagline “A Diamond is Forever” (which was the brainchild of another woman, copywriter Frances Gerety), out to the general public.

When De Beers shut down both the DIC and the trade-facing Diamond Promotion Service in 2010, she moved over to serve as the chief marketing officer for the company’s then-new diamond brand, Forevermark.

A year later, Morrison left Forevermark for the World Gold Council, where she became the managing director of jewelry and marketing, launching what is considered one of the--if not the--best digital marketing campaigns in the jewelry space, Love Gold.

Morrison said of all the marketing campaigns she’s worked on in jewelry, Love Gold has been her favorite so far.

“It was the most creative project I was ever given,” she explained.

Handed research and data, Morrison was tasked by David Lamb, then the WGC’s managing director of jewelry, with creating a campaign to reignite interest in gold jewelry among younger consumers, to “assume nothing and go off and do something completely fresh,” she said.

“I felt like I was at ground zero, and we could do anything we wanted. We could be kind of fearless.”

What she and her team came up with was a digital-only campaign that launched on social media before its website was even up and created a worldwide following of more than a million consumers.

The conversation around #LoveGold continues on social channels today, even after the WGC shuttered its jewelry division to focus on the investment market for gold.

In 2016, following the WGC’s pivot from jewelry, Morrison returned to diamonds as the managing director of marketing for the Diamond Producers Association for a short time before departing for colored gemstone miner Gemfields.

Although she’s only been at Gemfields for a year, Morrison succeeded in putting the miner’s colored stones front and center on red carpets this past awards season. Consider: Ruth Negga’s ruby tiara at the Oscars and the “Loving” actress’s cuff of the same gemstone at the Golden Globes.

It was all Morrison’s work, even if nobody knew it.

The Gem Awards are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 19 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

In addition to Lifetime Achievement, awards will be handed out in four categories: Jewelry Design, Marketing and Communications, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation. The nomination period is open for these categories, and will remain so through June 30.

For more information on the GEM Awards, visit Jewelers.org.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Stock image of a polished diamond in tweezers
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic Uncertainty

De Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.

LVAJWS24_carousel_images_1872x1052_1.jpg
Supplier BulletinApr 18, 2024
Discover History’s Hidden Gems at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show

Sponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show

Kelly Yoch
WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly Yoch

The Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.

1-(3.18).JPG
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry Retail

With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.

Interior of TAG Heuer Boutique on Carnival Cruise Ship
WatchesApr 18, 2024
TAG Heuer Opens Its Largest Standalone Boutique at Sea

The 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.

Weekly QuizApr 11, 2024
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge with this seven-question quiz.
Take the Quiz
 Stock image of a gavel
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2024
NDC Prevails in U.K. Case Over Lab-Grown Diamond Advertising

NDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”

Visual from Tiffany & Co.’s With Love Since 1837 campaign
FinancialsApr 17, 2024
LVMH’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Fall 5%

LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.

Jewelers of America Fly In Washington, D.C.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your Business

For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.

 B&D ribbon cutting in RI
MajorsApr 17, 2024
Stuller’s B&D Opens New Headquarters

B&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.

Model Wearing Eat Cake Collection
CollectionsApr 16, 2024
Akaila Reid Launches ‘Eat Cake’ Collection

It’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.

Emily Highet Morgan, Emily Bennett
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Loudr Adds 2 Directors

Emily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.

Stuller catalogs
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Stuller Releases First Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Catalog

Its updated book for mountings is also now available.

Headshot of Karen Rentmeesters
SourcingApr 16, 2024
Karen Rentmeesters Takes Over as Interim CEO of AWDC

She has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.

Joyce’s Jewelry
TechnologyApr 15, 2024
Judge Rules Jeweler’s Lawsuit Against PNC Bank Can Move Forward

Joyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.

Alfred W. DeScenza
IndependentsApr 15, 2024
Alfred W. DeScenza of DeScenza Diamonds Dies at 95

He is remembered by loved ones for his loyalty, integrity, and kindness.

Madeleine K. Albright
AuctionsApr 15, 2024
Madeleine K. Albright Jewelry, Pins Coming to Auction

Hosted by Freeman’s | Hindman, the sale will take place May 7-8.

Audemars Piguet circa 1985 emerald car watch
AuctionsApr 15, 2024
All of Sotheby’s ‘Rough Diamonds’ Sold in Less Than an Hour

The auction house said all 24 timepieces offered in its underground sale of rare and avant-garde watches quickly found buyers.

My Next Question webinar
Recorded WebinarsApr 12, 2024
Watch: What Jewelers Need to Know About Insurance

From cybersecurity liability to trade show coverage, insurance experts share tips on how to build the right policy.

Evil Eye Charm with Turquoise Disc
CollectionsApr 12, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s Evil Eye Gemstone Charm

The charm is a modern rendition of the evil eye amulet that has been worn for thousands of years.

The Jewelry Symposium scholarship winners 2024
Events & AwardsApr 12, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 4 Scholarship Winners

Ahead of its trade show next month, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to one jewelry professional and three students.

SRK Empire and SRK House
Policies & IssuesApr 11, 2024
SRK Exports’ Journey Toward Net Zero Impact

By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.

AGTA logo
Lab-GrownApr 11, 2024
AGTA Bans Lab-Grown Diamonds, Gemstones at GemFair

Members can still sell lab-grown stones, it said, but only natural gems are allowed on the show floor.

Steven Rosdal
IndependentsApr 11, 2024
Steven Rosdal, Co-Founder of Hyde Park Jewelers, Dies at 77

He is remembered for his charisma, passion, integrity, kindness, and wit.

Macy’s Herald Square store
MajorsApr 11, 2024
Macy’s Opens Books for Possible Buyout

The retailer also appointed two new board members, avoiding a proxy fight from a potential buyer.

Sylvie Jewelry model
CollectionsApr 10, 2024
Sylvie Launches New Nature-Inspired Collection, ‘Tulira’

The bridal collection consists of 35 engagement rings and seven wedding bands.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea in 18-karat yellow gold
WatchesApr 10, 2024
These Are Rolex’s New Watches for 2024

The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.

Levy’s Fine Jewelry diamond education
IndependentsApr 10, 2024
Levy's Fine Jewelry Explores Diamond History

The family-owned jeweler has a new education section on its website dedicated to the history of diamond cutting.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy