LAS VEGAS, USA — London International Awards (LIA) has announced the Evolution and Creative Use of Data and Audio & Radio juries. Yasu Sasaki, Global Chief Creative Officer of dentsu, will chair the Evolution and Creative Use of Data Jury, and Laura Rapela, Executive Creative Director of GUT Buenos Aires, will lead the Audio & Radio Jury.
Yasu, a Computer Science graduate, was an early pioneer of interactive advertising. His passion for creativity and technology has been a marked characteristic throughout his career, notably when he founded a cutting-edge R&D offering, Dentsu Lab Tokyo, in 2014. In October 2023, Yasu was named Dentsu’s Global Chief Creative Officer, responsible for leading Dentsu’s global Creative Practice, including Dentsu Creative. He sets the standard for creative excellence and is key to building a culture of creativity and innovation across the whole of Dentsu.
In accepting this position as Evolution and Creative Use of Data Jury President, Yasu said, “When data is infused with the power of ideas, innovation is more likely to occur. The more creativity pushes the boundaries, the easier it is for evolution to occur. It is a great honor to judge these two exciting categories. I look forward to seeing the ideas that will transform the world.”
As technology becomes more integrated into marketing and creative ideas, agencies have to be adaptable and innovative. But not just for the sake of innovation. The best ideas, no matter how technologically advanced, must still, at the heart of it, tell a compelling narrative that resonates with the consumer.
Barbara Levy, President of LIA, commented, “The advertising landscape is dynamic. New technologies are emerging very quickly and many brands are keen to be part of an emerging technological trend. Along came augmented and virtual reality, and now artificial intelligence is in play. It will be very interesting to see the trends that emerge from the Evolution and Creative Use of Data jury room.”
Laura Rapela, Executive Creative Director of GUT Buenos Aires, will preside as Jury President for Audio & Radio. In accepting the position Laura said, “I am so happy and honored with the news! I like the idea of being able to see everything and have the big picture. I am interested in selecting the pieces that renew the category, as is the trend, but without leaving aside those great scripts that always make us smile. Big Ideas with audio at the center. That’s what we are going to look for.”
It has been said that traditional radio’s importance is resurging worldwide. Listeners are tuning in to respected broadcasters for reliable news and entertainment.
In the United States, figures show that 55% of Gen Z listen to AM/FM radio daily. And more Americans listen to the radio than use Facebook each week. In fact, radio holds the highest collective trust across all advertising channels.
Barbara shared, “Radio is more than 100 years old. And is still a powerful medium today. It has the power to paint pictures in our minds by just using music, sound, and voice. Now that’s creativity.”
Judging will take place onsite at Encore @ Wynn, Las Vegas, with all jurors reviewing all entries submitted in their respective categories through all rounds of judging. These elite juries of creative experts will be searching for work that not only demonstrates great creative ideas but also stands out for its innovation and impact, work that will push the future of creativity.
Evolution and Creative Use of Data jury
- Yasu Sasaki Global Chief Creative Officer, dentsu – Jury President
- Joey David Tiempo, Founder / CEO, Octopus&Whale, Manila
- Dominik Heinrich, Co-Founder, Creative AI, New York
- Kaleeta McDade, Global Chief Experience Design Officer, VML
- Toan Nguyen, Founder / Managing Director, Jung von Matt NERD, Hamburg
- Lucia Orlandi, Executive Creative Director for Apple, TBWA\Media Arts Lab, Los Angeles
- Carren O’Keefe, Chief Creative Officer, Digitas UK, London
- Frédéric Raillard, Founder / CEO / Global Head of Gen AI, [Ai]magination
- Tiffany Rolfe, Global Chair / Global Chief Creative Officer, R/GA
- Jimmy Smith, Chairman / CEO / Chief Creative Director, Amusement Park Entertainment, Irvine
- Lewis Tutssel, Creative Strategy Lead, Reddit, London
- Jouke Vuurmans, Global Chief Creative Officer, Monks
Audio & Radio Jury
- Laura Rapela, Executive Creative Director, GUT Buenos Aires – Jury President
- Oriel Davis-Lyons, Chief Creative Officer, Mother New York, New York
- Alexis Estiz, Founder / Chief Creative Officer, Pickle Music, Brooklyn\
- Tom Eymundson, Partner / Sound Director, Pirate Sound, Toronto
- Addie Gillespie, Creative Director / Writer, Zulu Alpha Kilo, Toronto
- Jo McCrostie, Creative Director, Global Media, London
- Riana McKenzie, Senior Copywriter, Clemenger BBDO Australia, Melbourne
- Oscar Meixner, CEO / Partner, Hastings Audio Network, Hamburg
- Mariana O’Kelly, EVP / Executive Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Chicago
- Odin Saillé, Founder / Chief Creative, Mutant, Antwerp
- Chris Smith, Co-Founder / Principal / Chief Creative Officer, Plot Twist Creativity, Dallas
Judging in Las Vegas commences on September 29, and will be completed on October 07.
LIA is one of five global shows that is included in the WARC Creative 100.
