The jury - led by former WPP worldwide creative director Neil French (pictured) – sifted through 1,350 entries from "every ad-producing market in the world," said French, who estimated a fifth were from Asia.
The judges - selected according to their career awards tallies - were Tham Khai Meng, co-chairman and regional CD of Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific, Mark Tutssel, worldwide CD of Leo Burnett, Marcello Serpa, ECD of AlmapBBDO Brasil, Jeremy Craigen, ECD of DDB London and chairman and ECD of The Jupiter Drawing Room, South Africa, Graham Warsop. Author and former Batey creative chief Jim Aitchison replaced Erik Vervroegen, who was ill.
"I've done a lot of judging over the years, but I've never worked with a jury as experienced as this. They were tough on the work, but I was surprised not to see a single suggestion of back-biting or violent disagreement," added French.
