DDB Sydney and Ogilvy Melbourne lead Australian pack at finalist round of 2019 Ad Stars Awards
Ad Stars has revealed this year’s finalists, which are in the running to win Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Crystal trophies at the 2019 Ad Stars Awards on Saturday 24th August.
Australia has scored 132 finalists led by DDB Sydney with 29 finalists, followed by Ogilvy Melbourne with 23 and Goodoil Films with 21. Other finalists from Australia include Deloitte Australia, VMLY&R, The Brand Agency, AIRBAG, Alt.VFX, McCann Melbourne, Isobar, Meerkats and AIRBAG.
From 20,645 entries, a total of 1,811 campaigns have been shortlisted by 220 preliminary judges around the world. This includes 1,652 finalists for advertising professionals (from a total of 18,323 professional entries) and 159 non-professional finalists (from a total of 2,322 non-professional entries). Ad Stars welcomes entries not only from creative professionals but also non-professionals and students who have a passion for advertising and creativity.
“We aim to be a festival for everyone interested in creativity, not just for those working in the advertising industry. It’s the reason part of our show is open to the general public, free-of-charge, and it’s also the reason why everyone is eligible to enter the Ad Stars Awards – even non-professionals. The more people who take an interest in the ingenuity of the global creative industries, the stronger our industry will be,” explains Hwan Jin Choi, chairman of the Ad Stars Executive Committee.
Cheil Worldwide in Hong Kong has the highest number of finalists. Thailand is the country with the most finalists (212), followed by Japan (181) and Australia (132). Brazil has seen the biggest increase year-on-year in finalists of 214% (from 37 last year to 116 finalists this year), followed by United Arab Emirates (up 185% from 20 finalists last year to 57 this year) and India (up 68% from 53 finalists last year to 89 this year).
Lydia Lee, assistant manager of Ad Stars, says many of this year’s most shortlisted ideas are executed in unconventional ways – such as Burger King’s ‘The Whopper Detour’ (FCB New York) and Foxtel’s 2000 square metre ‘Grave of Thrones’ (DDB/The Glue Society Sydney).
Brands that are tackling political, environmental or human rights issues for social good have also performed well. Finalists include: The Blank Edition (Impact BBDO Dubai), Street Grace’s Stop Traffick (BBDO Atlanta) and Truck Art Childfinder (BBDO Pakistan).
“Using data, campaigns are becoming more scientific and clever in a good way. ‘The time we have left’ by Leo Burnett Madrid for Pernod Ricard’s Ruavieja liqueur and AAMI’s ‘Warning Spots’ by Ogilvy Melbourne are two standout examples,” says Lee.
Finalists by country include:
Argentina – 6 Finalists
Australia – 132 Finalists
Bangladesh – 3 Finalists
Belarus – 1 Finalist
Belgium – 5 Finalists
Bolivia – 1 Finalist
Brazil – 116 Finalists
Canada – 6 Finalists
Chile – 3 Finalists
China – 75 Finalists
Colombia – 1 Finalist
Costa Rica – 8 Finalists
Croatia – 4 Finalists
Czech Republic – 1 Finalist
Dominican Republic – 1 Finalist
Ecuador – 1 Finalist
France – 1 Finalist
Germany – 10 Finalists
Hong Kong – 89 Finalists
Hungary – 36 Finalists
India – 89 Finalists
Indonesia – 9 Finalists
Japan – 181 Finalists
Jordan – 1 Finalist
Kazakhstan – 15 Finalists
Republic of Korea – 122 Finalists
Kuwait – 2 Finalists
Malaysia – 43 Finalists
Nepal – 1 Finalist
New Zealand – 86 Finalists
Nigeria – 1 Finalist
Pakistan – 38
Peru – 12 Finalists
Philippines – 65 Finalists
Portugal – 45 Finalists
Puerto Rico – 1 Finalist
Qatar – 1 Finalist
Russian Federation – 2 Finalists
Saudi Arabia – 1 Finalist
Serbia – 2 Finalists
Singapore – 50 Finalists
Slovenia – 1 Finalist
South Africa – 1 Finalist
Spain – 19 Finalists
Sri Lanka – 6 Finalists
Taiwan – 35 Finalists
Thailand – 212 Finalists
Ukraine – 1 Finalist
United Arab Emirates – 57 Finalists
United Kingdom – 1 Finalist
United States – 33 Finalists
Uruguay – 9 Finalists
Uzbekistan – 1 Finalist
Vietnam – 9 Finalists
Ad Stars is judged in three phases: last month, a global panel of 220 preliminary judges voted on this year’s shortlists.
“We would like to thank our preliminary judges for their hard work and dedication. Together, they critiqued 20,645 entries – it was a huge job, and we thank you for your support of Ad Stars,” says Lee.
The second phase of judging runs from 10th to 17th July when 35 Final Judges will begin online judging. On 19th August, 5 Executive Judges and 35 Final Judges will arrive in Busan to select this year’s winners, including two Grand Prix of the Year winners, which receive US$10,000 apiece.
All winners will be announced at the 2019 Ad Stars Awards gala dinner at BEXCO’s Grand Ballroom on 24th August.
To experience Ad Stars in the beachside city of Busan, South Korea, purchase tickets before 10th July to receive a 15% discount; or before 31st July to receive a 10% discount. Online registrations close on 9th August 2019. For more information or to download this year’s shortlists, visit www.adstars.org.
DOWNLOAD THE PROFESSIONAL FINALIST LIST
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