Ad Stars 2013 promotes advertising for good

From August 22-24, Busan, Korea was the site of the sixth annual Ad Stars International Advertising Festival, where a record 12,079 entries from all over the world vied for metal glory. The theme for this year’s festival was  "Share Creative Solutions, Change The World", a notion reflected in many of the award winners’ public service-oriented campaigns, which would see an eventual 16 Grand Prix awards handed out.

On the first day of the Festival, delegates were welcomed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), presided over by the Ad Stars organizing committee, headed up by the Mayor of Busan, Nam Sik Hur. In the opening festivities that followed, Nam declared Ad Stars a festival designed to promote creativity on the global level, regardless of country of origin. 

Following the Mayor’s opening remarks, special awards were handed out, including a Best in International Contribution for Campaign Brief Asia’s editor-in-chief Kim Shaw.

In addition to attracting attention for spearheading the promotion of advertising in Korea, Ad Stars is unique for being a festival that is open to the public. Over the three days of the festival, upwards of six thousand visitors visited the BEXCO to view entries, watch case studies, patronize sponsor booths and generally get a feel for what the world of advertising had to offer.

A highlight of the Festival exhibition was a section devoted exclusively to the works and accomplishments of Havas vice-president and chief creative officer Jacques Séguélas, who also served as Ad Stars Jury President.

Bedecked in Ad Stars paraphernalia as the inside of the BEXCO was, the outside boasted an “Ad Street”, where funny and quirky ads from around the world were displayed in a series of standalone boards that curved around the perimeter of the building.

Finalist entries were judged by an international panel of jury presidents that included Séguéla (Film, Outdoor, Outdoor), Mori Inc. Tokyo creative director Morihiro Harano (Interactive, Mobile, Interactive Craft, Direct), McCann Erickson China executive vice president Tomaz Mok (PSA, Place Brand, Entertainment Promotion, Film Craft), eYeka global business director Rafe Ring (Innovation, Diverse Insights, Effectiveness, Campaign Presentation Video, Media, Branded Content, PR, Promotion, Design) and BBDO Guerrero chief creative officer David Guerrero (Print, Print Craft, Outdoor Craft, Integrated).

adobo is in Busan, Korea, for Day 1 of ADSTARS2013

Ceremonial ribbon-cutting

adobo is in Busan, Korea, for Day 1 of AD STARS 2013The Czech Republic’s Prague Chamber Orchestra performing onstage in Busan, Korea, welcoming delegates to Adstars 2013

Adstars 2013 co-chairperson Euija Lee shares the festival’s direction to change the world via creative solutions 

Adstars is a celebration of diversity, says Busan Mayor & chairman of the adstars organizing committee Namsik Hur 

Adobo Magazine managing editor Mikhail Lecaros with Cheil ECD Thomas Hong Tack Kim at Adstars 2013 in Busan, Korea 

Campaign Brief’s Kim Shaw takes to the stage for a game at the #adstars2013 networking party! 

Leo Burnett Malaysia ECD Eric Cruz at the Ad Stars2013 networking party in Busan, Korea

 The Gunn Report’s Donald Gunn with adobo’s managing editor Mikhail Lecaros at Ad Stars 2013 networking party in Korea! 

HS Ad ECD/Vice President Bo Hwang with adobo magazine managing editor Mikhail Lecaros at Ad Stars2013 in Busan, Korea 

Havas Vice President and CCO Jacques Séguéla with adobo magazine managing editor Mikhail Lecaros at #adstars2013 

Team DM9 JaymeSyfu enjoying the #adstars2013 after party at the Novotel Ambassador Hotel in Busan, Korea&