Revolver/ Will O’Rourke’s Michael Ritchie + DDB Remedy’s Scott Smith named Spikes presidents

| | 2 Comments

Spikes chairs (1).jpgSpikes Asia has announced the jury presidents to head the 14 juries at this year’s festival. With two new awards and an overhaul of many of the existing categories, the competition now more closely reflects the changing nature of the industry.

Representing Australia is Michael Ritchie (left), managing director, executive producer, Revolver/Will O’Rourke as jury president for Film Craft and Scott Smith (right), creative director, DDB Remedy as jury president for Healthcare.

Says Terry Savage, chairman, Spikes Asia: “The Asia Pacific region has a unique spirit and continues to challenge traditional creative and story-telling processes. The jury presidents for this year’s Spikes Asia are experts and leaders in this area and they are fantastic representatives to guide and award the most outstanding creative work from the past year.”

Film, Print, Print and Poster Craft and Integrated jury president

Tony Granger, global chief creative officer, Y&R, Global

As global chief creative officer at Y&R, Granger has been an advocate for developing a creative community across the company and shaping some of the top creative agencies. This strategy has proved a success with some of the world’s most sought after clients winning awards with Y&R agencies across the network.

Says Granger: “It is a special honor to serve as the president of the Film, Print and Print and Poster Craft jury at Spikes. Sitting on a jury is exciting, exhausting but always exhilarating. I am particularly looking forward to being immersed in work for the region, where I see creativity percolating everywhere. I think there will be many wonders to behold.”

Entertainment jury president

Silvia Goh, chief content officer, Publicis Media, Greater China

With a career focused on defining the most effective ways that branded content can be integrated into culture, Goh has helped shape the entertainment industry across the region, through her work with MTV Asia and Starcom MediaVest Group’s LiquidThread among others.

Says Goh: “Strong brand story telling fuels human desires, transforms consumers relationship and drives business results. Subject to the different categories, a winning piece of content should be able to lift brand health metrics, to engage and resonate with the audience and consumer at the least. Asia Pacific has been on the winning streak on creativity and innovation, not far from our counterparts in the West. With such dynamism and explosive speed, I am hoping to see more entries from especially China!”

Creative Effectiveness jury president

James Hurman, founder, Previously Unavailable, New Zealand

Recognised as one of the foremost global strategic planners, Hurman’s determination to build insightful and creative products that can make a measurable difference on business has earned him over 50 effectiveness awards on a national and international scale.

Says Hurman: “Things are changing so fast. Nowhere more so than Asia Pacific. Which means that each year we learn more, from fascinating new examples, about how creativity drives effectiveness. I’m looking forward to adding to that canon as jury president this year.”

Design jury president

Yang Yeo, executive creative director, Wieden+Kennedy, China

Famed for his creative talent across a wide range of disciplines, Yeo’s work has been celebrated worldwide and has been influential in bringing recognition to the Chinese advertising industry.

Says Yeo: “Design is getting more exciting as both consumers and clients are putting more emphasis on brand experience over broadcast advertising. I look forward to judging and learning from these new and more immediate solutions.”

Digital & Mobile jury president

Kentaro Kimura, co-chief executive officer, executive creative director, Hakuhodo Kettle, Japan

On a mission to break down boundaries within the realms of communication, Kimura and his team combine all elements to develop strategies and innovative ideas that improve the lives of consumers and bring added value to their customers.

Says Kimura: “Our society and clients are facing big challenges across all Asian countries. I believe difficulty gives birth to a great idea. And grand solutions are always generated from deep human insights. Our digital creativity has the potential of upgrading life’s culture, so that it is more human centered. I am looking forward to seeing amazing ideas that awaken the human potential.”

Direct and Promo & Activation jury president

Ted Lim, chief creative officer, Dentsu Asia Pacific

Spanning over two decades, Lim’s extensive track record of driving business while keeping creativity at the heart of work that engages and moves people has seen him lead numerous high-profile campaigns.

Says Lim: “Much of the more innovative work in recent years has been in Direct and Promo & Activation. Honda “The Sound Of Senna”, British Airways “The Magic Of Flying” to name a few. I hope we will see more surprising and engaging work that’s useful and relevant. Work that will reset the bar for creativity and innovation in this category. And not just the stuff that has already won in Cannes.”

Film Craft jury president

Michael Ritchie, managing director, executive producer, Revolver/Will O’Rourke, Australia

Working with some of the biggest names in the world of film, Ritchie is known for his commitment to produce original, innovative and unforgettable work across all genres and media.

Says Ritchie: “For me, craft is something that can make a good idea great and a great idea, exceptional. With an ever smarter and more discerning audience the requirement to craft work at the highest level has never been more important. I am incredibly honoured to be asked to chair Film Craft at Spikes Asia”

Healthcare jury president

Scott Smith, creative director, DDB Remedy, Australia

As a member of DDB Group Australia for almost 2 decades, Smith has diversified across disciplines, while remaining focused on using the power of data to gain genuine human insight and use this to drive change.

Says Smith: “I’m really looking forward to viewing some world-class creative during what is a very exciting time for the region, and the segment. The work that inspires me is brave, relevant, and makes a genuine human connection – and nowhere is there greater opportunity for this to happen than in Healthcare.”

Innovation jury president

Fred Raillard, CEO & co-founder, Fred & Farid, China

Having worked with some of the world’s largest brands, breaking boundaries across continents and winning more than 400 international awards, Raillard’s constant commitment to innovation has seen him invest in up-and-coming start-ups through the Fred & Farid Digital Investment Fund.

Says Raillard: “We’re focused on innovation that transcends advertising, and making ideas that truly disrupt the status quo.”

Media jury president

Cheuk Chiang, chief executive officer, Omnicom Media Group, Asia Pacific

A highly strategic and creative thinker, Chiang, through his continued drive to innovate, has helped develop the Omnicom Media Group to become a highly awarded global media and communications network in the Asia Pacific region.

Says Chiang: “Great creativity is ideas and innovation that truly transforms businesses. These ideas are formed from the alchemy of art and science. The use of data and technology used to help find insights and provocations that form the basis of great ideas that connect and resonate. I’ll be looking for that extra 10% that makes the difference between a good campaign and a great campaign.”

Music jury president

Prasoon Joshi, chairman, Asia Pacific, CEO & chief creative officer, India, McCann Worldgroup, APAC/India

With an expansive repertoire of accolades and honours, Prasoon is credited with bringing together the cultural nuances of Indian culture with large scale, globally recognised advertising.

Saus Joshi: “Asia is the most exciting place to be in the world in today’s times. On one hand it’s dealing with a set of sophisticated consumers exposed to a complex technological media landscape and on the other hand there is a set of consumers who are for first time stepping into the world of full blown consumerism.

“As far as judging is concerned it’s an exciting new category and an integral part of today’s media mix. In terms of work -the approach, sensibilities and expression variations will be exciting to see.”

Outdoor and Radio jury president

Ali Shabaz, chief creative officer, Grey Group, South East Asia

A multi-award winning creative, Shabaz’s strategic creative direction has led Grey Group Singapore to multiple honours as the best performing agency in Singapore.

Says Shabaz: “After years of following the West, Asian creativity is only just starting to find its voice rooted in its own culture. With the explosion of tech in Asia, Outdoor is a now a giant canvas for creative minds to paint the impossible. But I’m hoping to see strong ideas at the heart of the execution. With Radio, the challenge will be to find work that’s less hard-sell and more entertainment. Because that’s what we all love about radio.”

PR jury president

Cassandra Cheong, managing director, The Hoffman Agency, Asia Pacific

Bringing more than 25 years of communication experience, Cheong’s wide breadth of experience ranges from telecoms and global technology companies to the government sector.

Says Cheong: “Creativity is more than just being original and able to grab and retain attention. Creativity is at its best when it solves a problem and achieves its business goal.”

Spikes Asia registration and entries are now open and further details, including category descriptions, entry rules, key dates and deadlines can be found at www.spikes.asia.