WARC, the global authority on marketing effectiveness, has announced the esteemed jury for the WARC Awards for Asia-Pacific 2025, in association with LIONS. This prestigious competition celebrates the region’s most effective marketing strategies that drive business growth, showcasing significant representation from Indian talent.
Notable figures from India featured on the jury include Abhimanyu Khedkar, Managing Partner at Leo Burnett, and Nikhil Rao, Chief Marketing Officer of Mars Wrigley. Their expertise, alongside other top industry professionals from brands such as Budweiser, Kraft Heinz, and Standard Chartered, underscores the growing influence of Indian marketers on the regional and global stage.
- Matt Che, Chief Marketing Officer, Budweiser, APAC – jury chair
- Abhimanyu Khedkar, Managing Partner, Leo Burnett, India
- Ada Almendras-Lazaro, Marketing Director, McDonald’s, Philippines
- Allen Cai, Chief Marketing Officer, Kraft Heinz, Mainland China
- Brent Smart, Chief Marketing Officer, Telstra, Australia
- Cindy Eliza Vaz, Chief Digital Officer, IPG Mediabrands, Malaysia
- Erica Kerner, Managing Director, Global Head of Brand Partnerships & Events, Standard Chartered, Singapore
- Hajime Yakushiji, Creative Director, Dentsu Inc., Japan
- Jolene D’Souza, Group Strategy Director, Special NZ, New Zealand
- Nikhil Rao, Chief Marketing Officer, Mars Wrigley, India
- Ruby Sudoyo, Chief Strategy Officer, Ogilvy, Indonesia
- Venus Teoh Kim Wei, EVP Marketing, Suntory Pepsico Vietnam Beverage, Vietnam
Jury chair Matt Che, Chief Marketing Officer of Budweiser APAC, expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating, “The WARC Awards have a long history in APAC, and I’m excited to review the 2025 entrants with such a talented panel.”
John Bizzell, Awards Lead at WARC, added, “We have convened a fantastic jury from across Asia-Pacific, bringing invaluable expertise and cultural insights to the judging process. We look forward to recognizing the best work that is both strategically brilliant and commercially impactful.”
The jury will evaluate entries across 12 categories, including Brand Purpose, Customer Experience, and Strategic Thinking, with awards of Gold, Silver, and Bronze up for grabs. The jury chairs from all regional awards will ultimately select the prestigious Grands Prix, honoring the pinnacle of marketing achievement.
With Indian professionals at the forefront of this initiative, the WARC Awards Asia-Pacific 2025 not only highlight regional excellence but also demonstrate the significant contributions of Indian marketers to the global marketing landscape.
