DDB Sydney + Clems Sydney lead Aussie agency pack at shortlist stage of Digital Asia Awards

The Digital Asia Festival Awards, honouring the best digital marketing communications across Asia Pacific, has announced this year’s shortlist with DDB Sydney and Clemenger BBDO Sydney leading the Australian agency pack with four entries each.

Other Australian agencies who have made the cut at the shortlist stage include Reprise Media (1), DT (1), iris Sydney (1), Leo Burnett (2) and Ogilvy Australia (and Ogilvy Singapore).

Click here to see the shortlist – Digital Asia Festival Awards 2013 Shortlist.pdf

Chaired by Jason Kuperman, vice president of Omnicom Digital Asia Pacific, India, Middle East & Africa, the jury consisting of 40 industry professionals made up of leading client marketers, digital media practitioners and agency strategists, judged 506 pieces of work based on strategy, creativity and innovation, execution and results with a total of 80 entries making it onto the shortlist.

Japan leads with the most shortlisted entries (14), followed by Australia (13), New Zealand (10), China (9), Hong Kong (9), India (7), Singapore (7), The Philippines (5), Malaysia (4) and Thailand (2).

Commenting on the judging process so far and the quality of the work, some jury members had the following to say:

Says Meera Sharath Chandra, founder CEO & CCO, Tigress Tigress: “I found this year’s entries seamlessly integrating technology into the creative leap turning the communication into truly refreshing and engaging consumer experiences. Several of the shortlists had started with a fabulous consumer insight and market/media opportunity that had never been explored before. We saw a lot of first-of-its-kind innovations and we could see technology playing along beautifully with the big idea. That’s a very encouraging sign.”

Says Paul Gage, regional planning director, APAC, Iris Worldwide: “Judging the DAF awards this year demonstrates that the region is thinking big and acting big in digital.  It’s no longer just an add-on to a TV campaign, but brands and agencies are genuinely looking at how they can  build participation throughout their initiatives.  In a world where we often seem to be obsessed with daily posts on Facebook, it’s brilliant to see how much scale and impact can be really achieved with digital innovation.”

Says Ashok Lalla, global head – digital marketing, Infosys: “The work that stood out for me was based on a single sharp insight and a strong idea – simply presented and well executed. Several entries made me go, Aha, wish I had thought of it!”

The winners of the 2013 awards will be announced online through www.digitalasiafestival.com on 18 November.