Spikes Asia 2011 jury chairs announced

Spikes Asia Advertising Festival, the regional event for creative excellence in advertising and communications for Asia organised by Cannes Lions and Haymarket, has announced the first set of jury presidents who will head to Singapore to chair this year’s awards. Rémi Babinet, chairman of BETC Euro RSCG and global chief creative officer of Havas, will lead the Film, Press, Outdoor and Radio jury as well as the Integrated jury. Daniel Morel, chairman and CEO of Wunderman, will chair the Direct and Promo & Activation jury.Jeff Benjamin, partner and chief creative officer of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, will lead the Digital jury, and Mark Patterson, CEO of GroupM Asia Pacific, will chair the Media jury.

“It’s an honour for us to have Rémi and Daniel chair at Spikes Asia this year. Two greatly admired industry leaders whose commitment to their profession and immense expertise will be significant for the awards and for the region,” said Terry Savage, chairman of Cannes Lions.

On Benjamin's and Patterson's appointments, Philip Thomas, CEO of Cannes Lions, said, “We are delighted that two such high-profile and experienced practioners in digital and media will be leading the Juries at Spikes, where the work is as exciting and diverse as the region itself. We welcome Jeff and Mark to the Festival and look forward to working with them both.”

“I am delighted to be a part of the Spikes experience this year. This festival is an important measure of creativity and I am looking forward to seeing what the region has to offer,” said Babinet.

“Spikes Asia represents the best, restless, inquisitive spirit of advertising that region offers the world today,” commented Morel. “I am excited to see work that simultaneously inspires and challenges.”

“I am looking for great work that worked in a market context. I am looking for real actionable insights and I am looking for media agencies to step up, sell their brand stories and be as proud of their work as other agencies,” says Mark.

Commenting on his appointment, Benjamin said, “I’m excited to be a part of Spikes Asia this year. The Asia Pacific region has always been a source of invention and creativity for the entire world. And this year, perhaps more than others, it will be a source of inspiration for how the creative spirit triumphs in even the toughest times.”

Delegates registering before August 1 can take advantage of the early bird registration.

For further information and to register to attend Spikes Asia 2011, please go to www.spikes.asia.