MAD STARS, one of the world’s fastest growing advertising festivals, has opened its doors at BEXCO in Busan, South Korea and begins three days of inspiring speaker sessions, networking parties and the MAD STARS Awards presentation under the theme AIM: Aim Marketing Success with Artificial Intelligence.
The annual global festival runs from August 21 to 23 and culminates with a welcome reception and awards ceremony at BEXCO, BUSAN on August 23, followed by the After Party.
Says Hwanjin Choi, President of MAD STARS: “This is a pivotal year for MAD STARS, its first year of paid entries for the awards, marking its coming of age on the global stage, making it the largest advertising festival that brings east and west together.”
MAD STAR’s commitment to the future of the industry is supported by their NEW STARS and YOUNG STARS competitions, which also take place this week. This year, for university students, the YOUNG STARS program will guide and test 79 people in 45 teams from 6 locations, and NEW STARS for junior creatives will guide and test 73 people in 37 teams from 8 locations. These new talents will be guided and evaluated by juries selected from the world’s best industry professionals.
One of the highlights of MAD STARS is its conference, which this year features 44 speaker sessions in 2 divisions, including keynote sessions:
How Artificial Intelligence and Creativity Can Fuel Innovation will be presented by Fernando Machadooperating partner, marketing consultant and board member of Garnett Station Partners, the former CMO is known as “the master of pushing creative boundaries” who led NotCo, Activision and Burger King to marketing and advertising glory. The Era of AI-Driven Marketing Creativity was presented by Aeri ParkCEO of HSAD in the Republic of Korea at the forefront of high-performance communication innovation, leading one of the most innovative digital companies.
Yesterday on day 1 the conversation with the Executive Jury, an eternal highlight of the MAD STARS sessions and the opening of the conference took place. This year it featured four of the industry’s most prominent leaders – Gabriel LoraVP of Strategy & Digital Transformation, FCB Newlink; Emma de la Fossecreative director, Edelman UK; Matt MacDonaldcreative director, BBDO New York; and Suzana Apelbaumhead of creative and innovation, Google. Sangsoo Chongvice chairman of the MAD STARS Organizing Committee, moderated it.
Find the full MAD STARS conference schedule here.
There were also presentations on day 1 Wayne DeakinGlobal Principal and Creative at Wolff Olins, and Hemant ShringyChief Creative Officer at FCB Ulka, India.
The MAD STARS Awards are presented as gold, silver and bronze trophies as well as crystal certificates plus the Grand Prix of the Year. Special awards include Holding Company of the Year, Network of the Year, Agency of the Year, Advertiser of the Year and Production Company of the Year. The goal of these awards is to encourage the global advertising industry while promoting world peace and improving the quality of human life.
The MAD STARS exhibition will run throughout the festival, an opportunity for festival goers to see some of the best creative the world has to offer right now, as well as visit the Networking Lounge and Promotion Booth.
MAD STARS ended the day with all the participating delegates at the opening ceremony and opening gala, the official event that kicks off its world-class event.
Find out more about the MAD STARS festival schedule.
