The international jury is independent and consists of marketing professionals, film and multimedia producers, advertising experts, as well as media representatives.
Jury President
Randall Rothenberg
Proprietor of Randall, Ltd.
Former CEO and Executive Chair of IAB
USA
Randall Rothenberg has spent the past 40 years helping consumer and B2B brands, media companies, advertising agencies, tech firms, governments, political parties, NGOs, and creators see—and adapt to—the waves of technology-driven change that have overwhelmed economies and restructured entire industries.
One of the world’s foremost experts on marketing practice, strategy, organization, and history, Rothenberg is the proprietor of the marketing and strategy consultancy Randall, Ltd. (randallrothenberg.com). His book on automotive marketing, Where the Suckers Moon: The Life and Death of an Advertising Campaign (Alfred A. Knopf, 1994), was deemed “simply the best book about advertising I have ever read” by the late New York University media scholar Neil Postman, and continues to be taught in undergraduate and graduate courses.
From 2007 through 2022, Rothenberg was CEO and Executive Chair of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). During Rothenberg’s tenure, the IAB became one of the largest and most potent media and marketing trade bodies in the world.
From 1986 to 2001, Rothenberg was an editor and reporter at The New York Times and a weekly marketing and media columnist for Advertising Age. He also wrote for major national magazines including Esquire, GQ, The Nation, The New York Times Magazine, and New York Magazine.
Rothenberg has served on several nonprofit and commercial boards, including the Ad Council, Columbia Journalism Review, Advertising Self-Regulatory Council, Chamber of Progress, International Center of Photography, Digital Remedy, and the Executive Advisory Board of EDO, Inc., a television metrics and analytics company.
Ian has over 40 years auto industry experience with senior roles with global advertising agencies, auto companies, research, and media companies. He has been involved in the development and execution of high-profile marketing campaigns across the globe, both on behalf of and as a client for companies including Toyota, Lexus, Kia, Mitsubishi, Ford, Lincoln.
He has held senior positions at Saatchi and Saatchi, Bozell, FCB, Carat and Nielsen. While an auto specialist he has advertising experience with products and services ranging from magazines, haircare, financial services to airlines and healthcare. Over the years, he has been involved in judging several marketing/advertising awards. Ian lives in Los Angeles and is currently Chief Strategy Officer of AMCI Global and works with numerous auto OEMs and their agencies.
Christoph is an advertising and a communications globally recognized and awarded creative mind and leader.
He has spent more than 35 years building creative businesses, brands and creative cultures around the globe. His dream and goal to be always living and contributing to the avant garde of creativity has lead him over the years to develop a highly international, eclectic, creative and successful career in advertising and MK.
Before Edelman, where he acted as the Global Integration Officer of all the MK capabilities, he was the co founder and global ceo + chief creative officer of the global creative advertising agency gyro.
The largest most awarded independent b2b agency in the world. Among numerous industry awards gyro was named 5 times global b2b agency of the year in the USA in recognition of its groundbreaking creativity and pioneering role in the b2b MK reinvention.
Prior the gyro adventure his career took him all over the world from being the Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Foote Cone and Belding in NYC, to be the Regional LATAM, Chief Creative Director for Bozell,based in Mexico City.
He started his career as an Art Director and Creative Director, for creative agencies like GGK and Ogilvy and Mather in Madrid, Spain.
Becker has been invited to give keynotes and master classes in a number of high profile events such as Cannes Lions Festival, Fortune Brainstorm and CES, Spice Singapore, Lynx Dubai, Forbes CMO Institute NY, among others and served as member of the Jury on the most prestigious creative festivals in the industry around the globe.
In 2008 Christoph was inducted into the Hall Of Fame of the Association of American Advertisers.
Christoph always believed that the power of ideas could contribute to build a better world. This conviction together with his passion for humanitarian causes, specifically Refugees, made him join in 2005 the IRC as overseer and collaborator first and board member later. This global perspective and deep humanitarian commitment have continued to influence the way he understands and drives creativity in the industry.
Wain Choi is the owner and Chief Creative Officer at BLKW Inc. His well-respected talent has taken him across North America, Europe, and Asia. He has held Chief Creative Officer roles at major advertising agencies including Dentsu Brussels, Ogilvy Korea, Cheil Worldwide, CJ LiveCity, and Zulu Alpha Kilo.
Wain has extensive experience leading global brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Uniqlo, GM, Ford, Toyota F1, Lexus, Subaru, Bridgestone, CJ, and Samsung. His work has been recognized with over 100 awards at international festivals including Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, The Clios, London International Awards, New York Festivals, Spikes, Adfest, and others.
In addition to his creative achievements, Wain has served on numerous prestigious juries, including: Cannes Lions, D&AD Foreman, The One Show, Spikes Jury President, Adfest Jury President, Cristal Jury President, AdStars Jury President, Clio, Dubai Lynx, Red Apple, New York Festivals, and Kam Fan Award, among others.
Wain Choi has also been a keynote speaker at major international events, including Cannes Lions, Dubai Lynx, AdAsia Bali, A Fireside Chat – Singapore Advertisers Association, Goafest India, and the Brand Magic Summit Mauritius.
Pancho González studied advertising at the Universidad de Santiago in Chile and has an MBA from Steinbeis University in Berlin, Germany. He is currently chief creative officer at Inbrax Chile, board member and VP at IAB Chile, marketing circle member at Icare and past board member in Achap (Chilean Ad Association).
He has served as a juror at major international awards including Cannes Lions (2007–2021), Clio Awards, D&AD, One Show, The New York Festivals, Effie Awards, and has been Grand Jury member at Cresta, FIAP, FICE, Mobius, and Echo Awards, among others.He has been speaker in Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentina, Russia, Mexico, Germany, Sri-Lanka, Guatemala, the United States, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, Peru and Chile.
More than 250 national and international recognitions including Cannes, ADC's, LIA, One Show, New York Festivals, ANDYs, FIAP, Effie, Grand Effie, Webby Awards, Echo Latam, Grand Prix FICE, The Drum, Caples Awards, AME Awards, Epica Awards, Cristal Festival, Cresta Awards, Graphis, AdStar, IAB Mixx Awards, WINA Awards, The Indie Summit Awards, A’Design Awards, etc. Ranked among Creativepool’s Top 25 Worldwide CCOs and Top 100 Influencers (2017-2022). Recognized by Bestadsontv.com as Top Creative Director, Top 10 ECD, and Top 10 Agency (2017, 2021). Served as Top Worldwide CCO Jury at TheNextGag 2017. Multiple nominations for MKTG BEST Chief Creative Director Chile (2018-2022). Named Chile’s Top Copywriter and Agency of the Decade by Lürzer’s Archive. Agency of the Year at WINA Festival (2020-2022) and Digital & Indie Agency of the Year at TopFICE (2020-2022). Included in Adlatina’s Top 10 Crema Ranking (2014, 2020) and 40 Over Forty (2020).
Mentor at Acción Emprendedora, Female Foundry, mentor at Red de Mentores, MBA professor at Miami Ad School and Universidad de Santiago de Chile, presenter at IAB Chile Seminar New Normal Digital, CRECHI (Chilean Congress for Creativity), host of podcast #IABDigitalTalks, coach at LIASON 2021/2022 and D&AD 2021/2022.
Nicolas has been working in the advertising industry for over 17 years and has won multiple national and international awards. He is a member of the Art Directors Club in Germany and has served on national and international juries, as well as being a speaker at various marketing events globally.
He has worked with major automotive brands such as BMW, Mini, BMW M, BMW Motorsport, and Audi, as well as on automotive-related projects like SONAX car cleaning products, the BMW Driving Experience, and VW football sponsorships.
Sean McNicholas is the Creative Director at Thinkerbell. He has more than 10 years of industry experience working in some of the world’s most influential advertising networks. Sean has a wealth of experience in the auto category, including working on Toyota, Mercedes, and GWM.
Ali Shaaban, as the founder of Icon Creations, an award-winning creative digital agency launched in 2003, has forged a remarkable legacy driven by his steadfast core values. He places a premium on constant communication, ensuring clients receive tailored, hands-on support that propels their success, while relentlessly pushing the boundaries of innovation. A seasoned digital expert with a wealth of successful campaigns spanning various industries, Ali fosters a culture of creativity, talent, and excellence within his team and professional network. His always-on, approachable style has positioned Icon Creations at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge solutions, from social media content and digital strategy to website and mobile app development, omnichannel marketing, and beyond.
Ali’s leadership has cultivated partnerships with an impressive lineup of global brands, showcasing his ability to elevate organizations across Egypt and the Middle East. His client portfolio boasts names like Al Ahly FC, Bel Group, BMW, Central Bank of Egypt, CIB Bank, Emaar Misr, Ferrari, KFC, Hilton Hotels, Hyatt, Hyundai, KIA, L'Oréal, Lufthansa, Maserati, McDonalds, MINI, National Bank of Egypt, Nestlé, Nissan, Nivea, P&G, UN Women, Unilever, and the World Bank, among many others. With a proven track record and a visionary outlook, Ali brings a wealth of expertise to any table, making him an authoritative voice for celebrating exceptional achievements across diverse fields.
Anil Solanki
Senior Director
Dentsu X
INDIA
Anil Solanki is a seasoned media professional with over a decade of experience across the advertising and communications industry. Currently serving as Business Director at Dentsu, he specializes in integrated media strategy, planning, and execution across TV, digital, print, radio, and OOH. Anil has consistently driven impactful campaigns for a diverse range of brands, including fintech, FMCG, aviation, and consumer durables.
Anil and his team have won multiple accolades across sectors such as BFSI, Auto, and FMCG, especially for their innovative use of media, new ideas, and technology-driven solutions. Their work has been recognized at prestigious platforms including the exchange4media Awards, BFSI Awards, and The Emvies & few others.
Anil has served as a jury member at several global advertising awards including AutoVision Awards (2024), Madstars, LUUM Awards, Cannes Corporate Awards, and The Webby Awards. His cross-category exposure and holistic media background bring a valuable perspective to judging creative excellence. Anil is passionate about recognizing and encouraging purposeful, innovative work that blends creativity with effectiveness.
His belief in continuous learning and contributing to the industry keeps him actively engaged with thought leadership, mentoring, and jury responsibilities.