2024 Advertiisng Awards

 

The 2024 Applied Arts Advertising Awards jury panel is comprised of some of the Advertising industry's biggest names globally. Each of our 20 jurors has been recognized at some of the most prestigious awards circuits internally, nationally, and regionally. They've even worked on some big-name campaigns that have garnered attention from outside the industry.

The jury is tasked with upholding Applied Art's commitment to recognizing creative excellence. Eligible work includes traditional offline, digital, broadcast/streaming, experiential, and innovative advertising work submitted by international agencies, in-house marketing departments and individual creatives pros. The competition has categories for newer creatives; the Young Blood categories are for newer creatives with less than five (5) years of industry experience to help them gain attention and climb the creative ladder.

All work submitted to the competition is judged online and independently and given one score based overall on creative merit, technical excellence and suitability in the category to which it was submitted. Our 2023 Advertising Awards judge Morgan Tierney, Partner, Executive Creative Director, Rethink, Vancouver, BC was looking for:

When judging, I always look for great ideas that are well-executed. Having a killer idea is only part of the equation - it needs to be well crafted and brought to life in a way that will break through.

Meet the 2024 Advertising Awards jury and learn more about this incredible group of talent who have accepted the challenge of reviewing this year's entries and determining the winners.

 

MAXINNE ABUYUAN
CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER, CREATIVE
VML
Toronto, ON

The biggest challenge I currently face working in the creative industry today is pushing for creativity that goes beyond one-off ideas; and focusing on purpose-driven experiences from big immersive platforms to tiny interactions, all connected together to make a difference. 

Maxinne is the Chief Experience Design Officer at VML, where she leads the CX capability and XD. With over 15 years of digital creative experience, she has transformed how brands like TD, Mazda, and Dairy Farmers of Canada engage with their customers. Under her creative leadership, each experience is rooted in the brand, with every touchpoint tailored to reflect its distinct values and principles, creating impactful interactions. Her innovative strategies have earned numerous awards and made her a respected judge on prestigious panels like Strategy Marketing Awards, ADC, D&AD, and The One Club. Maxinne's work demonstrates that digital experiences are not just functional encounters but expansive canvases for creativity and human connection.

 

KURT BEAUDOIN
DIRECTOR OF STORYTELLING
ZGM
Calgary, AB

The part I enjoy most these days is helping young people enjoy all the fun and rewarding parts of this industry while coaching them on avoiding some of the pitfalls.

Kurt runs the creative departments in ZGM’s Edmonton and Calgary offices. He has spent most of his career in Western Canada and Western Australia. Kurt’s accolades include Lions, Pencils, and various other different-shaped things. Outside of work, Kurt enjoys riding his bicycle.

 

DAMIAN BONSE
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
M5
Atlantic Canada

The biggest challenge I currently face working in the creative industry today is balancing the desire for originality and creative excellence with the practicalities of smaller budgets and tighter deadlines in today’s world is a persistent and complex challenge.

As the Executive Creative Director at m5, Damian leads the creative vision across the company's offices on the Atlantic East Coast, aiming to transcend traditional advertising boundaries. Damian has earned multiple prestigious industry awards, including being ranked the number one Creative Director and Art Director in the Middle East & Africa, as well as winning top accolades from Cannes Lions, The Clios, The One Show, D&AD, The London International Awards, The Loeries and more.

 

MARIE CERMAKOVA 
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ONE TWENTY THREE WEST
Vancouver, BC

Marie is an Associate Creative Director based in Vancouver, BC. Originally from Prague, Czech Republic, her passion for storytelling through visuals led her into commercial photography. After jumping briefly to film production in Iceland, she quickly realized she loved the conceptual side of things and moved into the art direction. Her Canadian journey began in Montreal and continues in Vancouver. Marie has worked on brands such as McDonald's, Audi, Volkswagen, WWF, Loblaws, Fido, BC's Children's Hospital and many more.

 

SAM CERULLO
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LEO BURNETT
Toronto, ON

The creative person [people] I look up to for inspiration are George Michael, Don Rickles, Patrice O’Neal. DJ Albertino.

Sam Cerullo is a Creative Director with a craft in Art Direction and Design. His accolades include awards from Cannes, Clios, ANDYs, The One Show, and all the national shows. Sam uses a lot of extra virgin olive oil. He does not use exclamation marks.

 

MANUEL FERRARINI
VICE-PRESIDENT, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
TAM-TAM\TBWA
Montreal, QC

Time, is my biggest challenging I face working in the creative industry today. It seems everything has to be done faster. (But it’s the same for everyone, so it can be an excuse not to do great work).

In his ninth year as Creative Director at Tam-Tam\TBWA, Manuel Ferrarini has proudly headed outstanding campaigns that garnered regional and national awards from competitions, including IDÉAs, Quebec's STRAT Awards, Strategy Awards and the Cassies. He has nearly 30 years of experience in Advertising; Manual has worked on numerous campaigns for Ford, Danone, Air Miles, Ontario Tourism and Telus. Manuel is keen to inspire the next generation and, at one time, lectured on/taught advertising at the Université de Montréal. When not thinking up and perfecting advertising campaigns, Manuel occupies his spare time by bringing up his two kids and renovating, no…make that rebuilding, the house they live in. 

 

MAX GERALDO
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
GUT
Toronto, ON

There are countless creative minds that inspire me, but when it comes to creative freedom, the genius Brazilian musician Jorge Ben always comes to mind. 

Max Geraldo is one of the most awarded Brazilian creatives of his generation. He’s worked for some of the best creative shops in Brazil, the United States and now in Canada. Max has been awarded 80 Cannes Lions with iconic campaigns like Nivea Doll and Protection AD, Speaking Exchange, Teddy Gun, FedEx Neighbours and Missing Matoaka, and global brands like HP, Pepsi, Jeep, Leica, Boeing and The Red Cross. He has also served on juries across the globe in the most prestigious Award Shows and has appeared in the Top 10 rankings of the most awarded Creative Directors three times in the past decade and Top 3 Chief Creative Officer at The One Show 2023. Born in Argentina, Max grew up in Brazil and is a father to Rosa and Lola.

 

LORNE HELLER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
RETHINK
Toronto, ON

The biggest challenge I'm facing today in the creative industry is kind of our biggest opportunity as well. Tighter budgets and higher expectations are forcing us to think in new and different ways. It's hard and scary and incredibly exciting, all at the same time.

Lorne Heller is a Creative Director from Toronto, Ontario. His campaigns for brands like the New York Times, McDonald’s, Mattress Firm, Covenant House, Audi, HelloFresh, and the Canadian Mental Health Association have won at every major international show, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Clios, ADCs, The Webbys, the London International Awards, and the Effies.

 

MATT LITZINGER
FOUNDER, CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
THE LOCAL COLLECTIVE
Toronto, ON

I'm not sure if this sounds like "back in my day, uphill both ways etc" but I find too much of a reliability on the tech spider web..how things interact and plus each form of media, versus trying to just make each piece of communication compelling and incredible.

Matt Litzinger is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of The Local Collective, a creative agency, and two contemporary art galleries, The Local Gallery in Toronto and New York City. He is a creator at his core. Matt sees possibilities everywhere and in everything. This outlook has guided him as he’s created some of Canada’s most memorable campaigns for the past 25 years. He has led the creative visions for brands such as MacDonald’s, Cadillac, Food Banks Canada, BMO, General Mills, NBA Canada and Rogers, to name a few. Matt believes that brave creativity leads to huge business and commercial success. Matt has been creatively awarded in virtually every local and international award show.  While he is proud of those accomplishments, recognizing his work for the craft and passion he applies to it, he’s driven primarily by creating bold ideas that have driven huge success and results.

 

BERNICE LO
VP, EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ANGRY BUTTERFLY
Toronto, ON

The characterisics I look for in aspiring creatives is drive. I can teach the craft but I can't teach the drive to want to do more/better.

Better known as “Bee,” Bernice is an Executive Creative Director at Angry Butterfly. Over the last several years, she has worked on globally recognized campaigns and helped build and lead creative departments. She’s a strong female BIPOC leader, mentor, and advocate for DEI within agencies and the industry. Outside of her day job, Bernice co-founded a network called Open Chair for women+ in creative and production roles, looking to support, promote, celebrate, and collaborate with one another. With a commitment to creating a safe space for women to share and be heard, the goal is to ensure the industry is a more inclusive and inspiring place to be.

 

ELSPETH LYNN
CO-FOUNDER + CREATIVE PARTNER   
UNBOUND
London, UK

The biggest challenge I face working in the creative industry today is about learning how social is reaching people in a different more modern way and doesn’t require traditional campaign structures or formats. But, of course, it’s still about storytelling.

Elspeth has had an illustrious career, spanning over 30 years of experience in the industry. She stands out as being a successful and rare female Executive Creative Director. Elspeth was one of three founding partners of Zig, a Toronto-based creative agency that employed 140 people and was recognized as Agency of the Year and known for IKEA’s ad work. Since moving to London in 2008, she has been the ECD of Geometry, M&C Saatchi, digital agency Profero and FCB Inferno. Elspeth’s work has been recognized many times over the years by Cannes, The One Show, BIMA, LIA, D&AD, The New York Art Directors, Applied Arts, Communications Arts, The Marketing Awards, and the Cassies. She has also judged just about every award show, sometimes twice. Cannes x 3. Currently, Elspeth is the co-founder and creative director of Unbound London, an agency she founded in 2021 with fellow Canadian Paul Hogarth. When she’s not doing advertising, she’s doing interior design. And every week, you’ll find her swimming in some form of cold water.

 

TROY MCGUINNESS
GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR
FCB
Toronto, ON

The biggist challenge I face working in the creative industry today is it’s very pragmatic but I think the constant need to create more for less, feels like a story as old as time.

Through Troy’s time in advertising, he’s had the opportunity to work on almost every type of business at almost every type of agency. Along the way, he’s been fortunate enough to have work that has been recognized by the majority of award shows around the world. But having a mug that says world’s greatest dad might be my greatest accomplishment (although I don’t drink coffee).

 

RENA MENKES HULA
GROUP CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Toronto, ON

The biggest challenge I face working in the creative industry is facing today is not letting emerging technology or trends overshadow smart, simple, effective ideas. As an industry we have to work to protect ideation and make sure the central strategic thinking is not lost as we build out and craft our work. Especially during a time when technology is accelerating at such a pace, it's easy to be tempted by what's shiny and new. 

For 17 years, Rena has been making ads and ad-like things in NYC, Chicago, and Toronto. Creative problem-solving is her passion, so changing how people think about brands is a dream realized. During her time in the industry, Rena has produced work for Kraft, SC Johnson, Kimberly Clark, Unilever, MillerCoors, Pernod Ricard, P&G, Mars, Maple Leaf Foods, Diageo, Labatt, Canadian Centre for Child Protection and Questrade. Her work has been recognized by Cannes, Effies, Clios, D&AD, LIA, The One Show and the Shorty’s, among others. Rena is a native of New York with a BFA in Advertising Design and Copywriting from Syracuse University.

 

FÁBIO SIQUEIRA​​​​
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LIFELONG CRUSH
Toronto, ON

One of the biggest anxieties that keeps my up is the nagging question of whether I've truly hit the mark with my ideas. No matter how great a concept may seem initially, there's always that lingering doubt: Could it be better? Could I have approached it differently? And these questionings can lead to endless cycles of refining and second-guessing, especially when time constraints loom overhead.

A native of Brazil, having also lived in Spain, Fábio now resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With the ability to understand communication strategies and tell stories visually, Fábio focuses on establishing a clear design direction that communicates the brand voice and vision across digital, print and TV and everything in between. He takes pride in making ads that don’t feel like ads or ads that dare to make people laugh. Currently, Fábio is Associate Creative Director at Lifelong Crush, standing up digital campaigns for brands like Dairy Farmers of Ontario and Simplii Financial, Asahi, Lee Valley as well as for the non-profit organization PLAN International Canada. Before joining Lifelong Crush, Fábio was Senior Creative and Art Director at Media.Monks, with past agency experience at MRM McCann. At both digital shops, Fábio further honed his tech-forward creativity on brands like GM, Nescafé, and Etihad Airways. 

 

MARY SOROKA
GLOBAL VP, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
EDELMAN
New York, NY

Mary Soroka is an internationally award-winning Art, Creative, and Film Director. Currently, she serves as the Global Vice President at Edelman New York. Recognitions include Cannes Lions, The One Show, Clios, The Webby Awards, LIAs, UN Women, and more. Mary's work has been featured in Ad Age, Adweek, Associated Press, Bloomberg, Buzzfeed, Canadian Press, CBC, CBS News, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Daily Mail, The Drum, ELLE, ET, Fast Company, Forbes, Glamour, Global News, The Globe and Mail, The Los Angeles Times, National Post, The New York Times, The Toronto Star, Upworthy, Vogue, Yahoo!, and countless others. She has provided creative solutions and leadership for numerous Fortune 500 companies and brands, such as Dove (including the viral #KeepTheGrey and #LetHerGrow campaigns), IKEA, and Google.

 

DAN STRASSER
EVP, EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BELIEVECO
Calgary, AB

I look for pure naive hunger in aspiring new creatives. The kind that puts potential ahead of reality.

Dan oversees all creative and production at the newly formed agency Believeco. With over 20 years of experience, his passion for creativity has largely been influenced by working at some of the world’s best agencies on the biggest brands. He’s created and led work that’s been recognized internationally at Cannes, LIAs, The One Show, Marketing ACDs, ADCCs, New York Festivals, and The Webbys and also earned ‘Super Bowl Spot of the Decade’ for his work on Budweiser. When he’s not helping to build and grow Believeco – part of a 6-agency merger, he’s hanging out with his wife and kids or driving his tractor.

 

ANNIK TREMBLAY-MEUNIER
ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
COSSETTE
Montreal, QC

The biggest challenge I face working in the creative industry is facing today is the way we reach our audience is evolving. Who will be creative enough to remain relevant? I like to do something new in every campaign I’m involved in. The playing field has grown exponentially. It’s no longer about creating the biggest campaign—it’s about creating moments that matter to your audience.

Annik Tremblay-Meunier, an Associate Creative Director at Cossette, has 15 years of experience in advertising. Since joining Cossette in 2018, after a decade at Sid Lee, she has been a driving force behind ground-breaking campaigns for brands such as Uber, the Montreal Children’s Foundation, Breakfast Club of Canada, BRP, Loto-Québec and Intact Insurance. Annik enjoys seeking new ways to engage consumers. Her drive to innovate has been recognized by The One Show (where she won a Gold Pencil), the ADC Awards, the Strategy Marketing Awards, and the Idéa Awards.

 

FRÉDÉRIC TREMBLAY
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
LG2
Montreal, QC

From his early career as an illustrator to his transition into advertising, Frédéric Tremblay has spent the last 15 years repositioning several major brands such as Maxi, Boréale – Les Brasseurs du Nord, Desjardins, La Cage Brasserie Sportive, and the Montreal Olympic Park. Every day, he fuels creative excitement, advances promising ideas, and suggests new avenues to explore. His creativity, judgment, and keen interest in content and technology have allowed him to carve out an enviable position in the Quebec advertising industry. Frédéric's work has been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally, notably in competitions such as Applied Arts, The One Show, Art Directors Club, Marketing Awards, CRÉA, IDÉA, Grafika, and Communication Arts.

 

ABEER VERMA
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CITIZEN RELATIONS
Toronto, ON

Commas. Are there too many? Too few??? That's what keeps me up at night.

Abeer is a writer who wrote his way to Creative Director and then creative directed his way to award show judge. His own work has picked up praise along the way, from The One Show, Clios, LIAs, Cannes, The Webby’s, and hey, this very show. He has spent many years in advertising at agencies across Canada. Currently, Abeer lives in Toronto, works in PR, and wonders if anyone reads jury bios.

 

SHERMAN WINFIELD
NA CREATIVE LEAD
STUDIO X (WPP/COCA-COLA)
Atlanta GA

Sherman Winfield is an Atlanta-based Executive Creative Director. His current duties include overseeing the North American creative efforts for StudioX, the execution arm of OpenX, the bespoke agency network set up by WPP for The Coca-Cola Company. His creative work has been recognized and awarded internationally by Cannes, D&AD, One Club, Clios, London International Awards, New York Festivals, ADC, Radio Mercury Awards, The Webbys, The Shortys and numerous others. Sherman has also been on multiple advertising juries, both locally and internationally, to recognize the industry’s best work. 

---

The Applied Arts Arts Advertising Awards competition deadline is Friday, August 30, 2024. Visit the Advertising Awards to learn more about the competition, including eligibility, categories, and entry material acceptance.

Reach for the Stars. Shine Bright.