APAC Effie Awards 2016 Announces Remaining Heads of Jury

Asia Pacific Effie Awards has announced three more Heads of Jury for the 2016 Awards.

Nagesh Alai is the Vice Chairman, Global of FCB Worldwide. He has been part of the APAC Effie Jury for the past two years and is currently a member of the APAC Effie Committee. 

A key force behind the Group’s sound fundamentals & success, Nagesh has been with FCBUlka Group for 25 years now.  Between 2006 and 2011, FCB Worldwide handed over to Nagesh the finance and operational responsibilities of Asia Pacific & Africa region and prior to his recent assignment, he was the Group Chairman of FCBUlka Group in India.

Nagesh is also actively involved with the industry having been the President of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) from 2010 to 2012.  He currently serves as an Executive Member of the Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA), various committees of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).   

Commenting on his appointment, Nagesh said: “Advertising is all about creating awareness about a brand and triggering a behavioural change in the consumer. Effies platform recognises this truism. Hence, it's an honour to be associated with APAC Effies it as a Head of Jury and help in selecting the best of the best advertising in the region.”

Richard Murphy is the CVP Digital, Growth & Foundation Markets at McDonald's, with a brief to drive digital transformation at a market level.  His remit covers some 90+ countries across the globe and includes setting and aligning the agenda for Digital, ensuring that markets are clear about the expectations the business has of them and to help drive a modern approach with customers.  

Richard has been ‘in digital’ since 1999 when he helped found and grow a dot com start-up, but he actually started his working life as a Food Scientist & buyer for Tesco Stores in the UK.  Throughout his career he has experience in digital brand-building, direct marketing to drive revenue and has developed and delivered new digital experiences for Prudential, GE, British Telecom. Most recently with Nokia & Microsoft, he led the global eCommerce team and the integration of the digital teams, infrastructure and ways of working into the Microsoft fold.

“I am delighted to be invited as a Head of Jury for APAC Effie. Effectiveness is the core of the advertising business and what we strive to achieve. I’m glad to play a part in Effies in championing marketing effectiveness and am excited to see the great works from the region,” Richard commented.

Sandeep Seth is Brand Director, Global of SK-II, a prestige beauty brand of P&G. With almost two decades of marketing experience across 9 countries in APAC and Greater China, and a deep expertise in the Beauty and Prestige industry, Sandeep currently heads SK-II’s global marketing and commercial operations.  Under his leadership, he has transformed the entire SK-II organization to be a truly forward thinking brand that understands the benefit of digital first collaborations and experimentations, resulting to industry recognized campaigns such as Change Destiny and Beauty Bound. He is passionate about brand-building in the new world, and is also now leading P&G Asia’s marketing talent rejuvenation movement.

Prior to this, Sandeep’s career in P&G has been in New Business Development and White Space Expansions, having led the launch of the Olay business across the region (Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines and India) since 2001.

“I feel extremely honored to be on a Head of Jury for APAC Effie. Brands and advertising is a huge passion area. We are in a new era of advertising as the digital revolution has completely transformed how brands and consumers interact. It is an exciting time and I am looking forward to be inspired by the great work that everyone has been leading in the industry!” said Sandeep. 

This completes the Heads of Jury line-up for the 2016 Awards. Awards Chairman, Cheuk Chiang, commented: “I’m absolutely convinced that with such a distinguished and experienced group of practitioners, the Effies in APAC will redefine and set new standards for effectiveness. It comes at a time when marketers want greater accountability and stronger results but fail to do this consistently. Inspiration will come from the best and most effective work that has been interrogated, scrutinised, evaluated and judged by the best in the business. There will be something to learn for all of us and it’s truly an honour to be working alongside such a distinguished and experienced group of thought leaders.”

For the full jury, click here. 

Finalists will be announced in March 2016, with the Awards Gala set to take place in Singapore end April 2016.