Spikes Asia, the most prestigious award for creativity and marketing effectiveness in the Asia-Pacific region, has announced the esteemed line-up of Jury Presidents for the 2025 edition of the awards. The in-person judging will take place in Vietnam in March 2025, with the live Awards Ceremony scheduled for April 2025 in Singapore. This year’s event promises to set new benchmarks for creative excellence across the region, with diverse representation from leading markets such as Australia, Mainland China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand.
Indian Representation at Spikes Asia 2025
In addition to the diverse international line-up, India is strongly represented in the Spikes Asia 2025 Jury President panel. Ashish Chakravarty, Executive Director & India Head of Creative at McCann Worldgroup India, will preside over the Audio & Radio, Film, Print & Publishing jury. Chakravarty is one of India’s most respected creative leaders, known for his groundbreaking work in both traditional and digital media. His leadership of the Audio & Radio, Film, Print & Publishing categories underscores India’s prominent role in shaping the future of creative storytelling across the region.
Additionally, Kainaz Karmakar, Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy India, will lead the Design, Industry Craft jury. Karmakar is renowned for her expertise in design and creativity, and her leadership at Ogilvy India has been instrumental in driving impactful work that blends creativity with strategic insights. Her presence as Jury President reflects the growing importance of design in shaping the future of advertising and brand experiences.
First time representation from a Thailand
For the first time, the Jury President line-up includes a representative from a Thailand-based agency: Damisa Ongsiriwattana, Chief Creative Officer & Founder of SOUR Bangkok, who will lead the Entertainment, Gaming & Music jury. Ongsiriwattana shared her excitement, saying: “I am honoured to serve as Jury President for Entertainment, Gaming, and Music at Spikes Asia. In a region as dynamic and diverse as Asia, the power of storytelling through these mediums continues to break new ground. I look forward to collaborating with the Jury to celebrate creativity that connects with audiences in meaningful ways.”
The full list of Spikes Asia 2025 Jury Presidents includes:
- Audio & Radio, Film, Print & Publishing: Ashish Chakravarty, Executive Director & India Head of Creative, McCann Worldgroup, India
- Brand Experience & Activation, Creative Commerce: Gary Steele, Chief Creative Officer, DDB New Zealand, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Creative Data, Innovation: Julie Jihyun Kang, CEO and Managing Partner, Serviceplan Korea, South Korea
- Creative Effectiveness, Creative Strategy: Lindsey Evans, Global Partner and CEO Special Australia, Special Group, Global
- Design, Industry Craft: Kainaz Karmakar, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy, India
- Digital Craft, Social & Influencer: Kazuhiro Shimura, Group Creative Director, Dentsu Inc., Japan
- Direct, Outdoor: Ronnie Wu, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\China, Mainland China
- Entertainment, Gaming & Music: Damisa Ongsiriwattana, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, SOUR Bangkok, Thailand
- Film Craft: Declan Cahill, Managing Director, Exit Films, Aotearoa New Zealand
- Healthcare: Shunsuke Kakinami, CEO and Creative Director, FOUR FEET Inc., Japan
- Media: Helen McRae, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, GroupM Asia Pacific, APAC
- PR: Margaret Key, CEO, MSL APAC and Global Lead on Samsung, Publicis Groupe, Global
Mandy Neo, Director of Spikes Asia, commented on the announcement: “We are thrilled to unveil the extraordinary creative leaders who will guide the judging process for Spikes Asia 2025. Their collective expertise, vision, and commitment to innovation ensure that the awards will continue to reflect the highest standards of creativity across the region. With a line-up that represents the best of Asia-Pacific, we are excited to see how these leaders will shape the future of the creative industry.”
Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, added: “The Spikes Asia 2025 Jury Presidents represent the pinnacle of creativity and innovation in their fields. We are grateful for their leadership and the invaluable perspective they bring to the judging process. Their passion and expertise will ensure that Spikes Asia remains a vital platform for showcasing the region’s most outstanding creative work, inspiring future generations of creatives.”
Entries for Spikes Asia 2025 are now open, with a deadline for submissions on January 28, 2025. For more information, visit www.spikes.asia.
