Ad Stars reveals 2019 shortlist with a SA finalist

Ad Stars has announced this year's finalists, including the King James Group from South Africa, who is in the running to win a Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Crystal trophy at the 2019 Ad Stars Awards on Saturday 24 August.
Image supplied.
Image supplied.

The King James Group was named a finalist for work they did for The Chaeli Campaign entitled, ‘Bet Chaeli Can’t’.

Everyone is eligible to enter

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 welcome entries not only from creative professionals but also from 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).

Unconventional ways

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 cleverer 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

  • 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 (King James Group)
  • 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. (See attached.)

“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 19 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 24 August.

For more information or to download this year’s shortlists, clickhere.
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