ASIA-PACIFIC Judging for Media's Agency of the Year Awards has been completed, after a panel of blue-chip advertisers cast their votes by secret ballot in Singapore.
Winners will be announced in Hong Kong, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, on 13 December.
Nike regional marketing director Tim Parkinson and jury member said: 'The Agency of the Year Awards have the potential to be the most important awards in Asia. They reward the most progressive agencies by evaluating individuals who are driving the industry as well as the companies themselves."
The most competitive category, judges noted, was Office of the Year, which attracted over 50 entries. "Office of the Year was the toughest to judge,"noted Rosanna Hon, regional head of brand development and management at HSBC, and jury member.
'We were looking for evidence of teamwork and clarity of objectives - not only business held and won."
David Shaw, marketing chief at Lenovo, said of the entries this year: "I was pleasantly surprised. Agencies are showing they are more professional and accountable about their work. It's clearly a healthy time to be in the industry."
This year's judges also included Unilever Foods senior vice-president, marketing operations for Asia, Africa and Middle East, Ray Bremner; and Motorola marketing director high growth markets, mobile phones, Neil Stewart.
The awards have been revamped this year, with the introduction of Client Marketer of the Year and Network of the Year awards. Entries - up 36 per cent on last year (from 137 to 186) - were audited by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which also presided at the judging session in Singapore.
For details on finalists or the awards night, contact Iris Mui at iris.mui@media.com.hk.
