Take Your Exclusive Seat on the
LIT Advertising Awards Panel

Hong Kong SAR

Dr. Ken Ip

Chairman, Asia MarTech Society

Dr. Ken Ip serves as the chairman of the Asia MarTech Society and holds advisory roles in numerous professional organizations, including two universities. He is an award-winning brand strategist, associate professor, columnist, and expert commentator specializing in Tech, Web3, Branding, and e-Commerce.
Ip has occupied diverse high-ranking roles within prominent multinational corporations and conglomerates, spanning from corporate consulting to providing advisory services in public affairs. Additionally, he serves as a strategic advisor for a Web3-focused venture capital firm with assets totaling USD 75 million.
He stands as a luminary in his industry, showcasing a wealth of accomplishments and contributions. His extensive experience in senior positions within leading multinationals and conglomerates reflects his profound impact on corporate consulting and public affairs advisory. Furthermore, as a chairman and a key figure on advisory boards for esteemed universities, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of marketing technology and education.

United States

Scott Berry

President, MarketCrest, LLC

Scott Berry has more than a decade of experience as a Senior Executive/Officer in billion-dollar Print Marketing and Direct Mail companies.

He is also the President of a full-service digital marketing agency, MarketCrest, LLC. His perspective comes from a strong return on investment (ROI) culture which has translated to enormous success for clients. As President of MarketCrest, he constantly evaluates the agency’s work to ensure it’s ready for clients and represents best-in-class deliverables. His team has won both national and international marketing awards including a Vega, NYX, NY Digital, TITAN, NYX and MUSE.

Scott admires creative people and enjoys recognizing exceptional marketing efforts and results. He is a bit of an adrenaline junkie having traveled the globe, jumped from planes, and scuba-dived in countless countries (he is a professional Divemaster and Assistant Instructor).

United States

Antara Dave

UX Designer, Microsoft

Antara Dave is a User Experience Designer and Artist at Microsoft, combining her background in Data Analytics and Visualization with her passion for product design. With over four years of experience, she has made impactful contributions to major corporations, including Microsoft and The Home Depot.

As Lead UX Designer for Microsoft’s Azure Experimentation Studio Team, Antara shapes one of the world’s largest experimentation platforms, trusted by Azure, Teams, Bing, and Office. She oversees design from concept to interface, ensuring seamless functionality and engaging user experiences for millions worldwide.

Beyond her UX expertise, Antara’s artwork has been showcased at the Kirkland Arts Center in Seattle. She has also shared her insights as a guest lecturer at Arizona State University and a speaker at MIT’s Code Conference, earning recognition through six major national and international design awards.

United States

Michael J. Russo

Chief Creative Officer, brandRUSSO

Michael Russo is the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of brandRUSSO, a strategic branding agency established in 2001. As a global award-winning art director, copywriter, and designer, Michael brings more than 20 years of creative experience working with an international roster of clients across a wide variety of industries and markets.

As Chief Creative Officer, Michael works closely with clients and internal teams to bring brand voices to life through both messaging and design. His specialty lies in translating strategy into creative that creates emotional connections and real differentiation, ensuring brands are not just seen, but believed.

In addition to his work with clients, Michael has served as a judge for both national and international marketing, advertising, and branding competitions, evaluating brand strategy, creative execution, and effectiveness across multiple industries. He is the creative force behind brandRUSSO’s Razor Branding™ process, a published author, and co-host of the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast, where he challenges conventional thinking around branding and what it actually takes to build brands that change the conversation.

United States

Kushal Birari

Creative, Mother New York

Kushal Birari is a creative at Mother, one of the world’s most respected, independent creative companies.

Having worked in five prominent cities across three continents, he has made a significant impact through his art direction and design. He has left an indelible mark on numerous international brands, including OREO, MINI Cooper, Make in India, FIFA, Bosch, Instagram, and more. His recent noteworthy contribution to the OREO Pride campaign has garnered widespread attention, resonating with diverse communities globally and earning recognition through various national and international accolades. Birari excels in creative direction, advertising, ideas development, art direction, and creative strategy, showcasing a comprehensive skill set in the realm of visual communication and strategic brand development.

His proficiency in his role is evident through the impactful influence he has wielded on major international brands, demonstrating a keen understanding of art direction and design and His ability to resonate with diverse audiences.

China

Hao Shan

Creative Director, Founder, Cre+ Design

Hao Shan, the founder of Creplus Design Studio, established the studio in 2009. He currently holds the position of Director in the Department of Visual Communication at the School of Art, Design & Media within East China University of Science and Technology.

With a background in both Eastern and Western design education, extensive experience in design and management roles within leading French international design firms, and a wealth of hands-on involvement in international brand design projects, including L'Oréal, Garnier, Nike, SFR, Dassault, Renault, Citroën, Club Med, Nestlé, PMU, Disney, Bank of Communication, and more, Hao Shan's designs have garnered numerous international accolades.

Shan's reputation in the design art industry is a testament to his dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence. His extensive experience, creative vision, and contributions to international brand design projects have not only earned him recognition but have also left an indelible mark on the field.

Poland

Alex Brodsky

CEO, Playsense

Alex Brodsky is a senior marketing executive with over a decade of senior management experience. He previously ran Wargaming's in-house agency, one of the largest in-house agencies in the video game industry.

Alex is now the CEO of Playsense, an award-winning creative agency for video games, with clients including Riot Games, Ubisoft, Wargaming, Krafton, and Tencent. He has managed cross-cultural teams of approximately 200 people across Europe and APAC, overseeing 7-figure budgets. His teams have worked with major game titles, Hollywood and music icons, and have won numerous prestigious industry awards.

He led the business through challenging times such as the pandemic, revolution, and war, although he wishes these hardships had never occurred. Despite these challenges, Alex and his partners started a new company when the world was in turmoil, achieving this feat in less than two months, demonstrating an expert level of difficulty.

Malaysia

Jae Leong

Judging Committee Chairperson, International Awards Associate (IAA)

Jae Leong is the accomplished chairperson of IAA’s extensive judging committee.

As the chairperson, Leong assumes a leadership role, guiding the organization and spearheading initiatives to uphold quality and creative excellence in critical areas such as design, creative advertising, marketing communications, video production, and business. Additionally, she serves as a key award representative at IAA, consistently demonstrating success in overseeing assessments throughout her career.

She prioritizes the coordination of strategic arrangements among various jury panels, establishing herself as a standout figure in the industry. Demonstrating a keen sense of management, Leong has executed her role with precision, ensuring that each participant receives fair evaluations and unbiased assessments, underscoring the significance of integrity in maintaining the credibility of the judging outcomes. Furthermore, her collaboration with professionals globally has positioned her at the forefront of specialization, enabling the development of exceptional communication and relationship management skills.

United States

Zhijun He

Senior designer, Samsung

Zhijun He is a seasoned graphic designer based in New York, currently driving brand storytelling at Samsung.

With a strong foundation in visual communication and digital marketing, she leads the creative direction and cross-platform campaigns that connect consumers with the brand in meaningful ways. Before joining Samsung, Zhijun built a robust background in brand development and digital design, with a passion for crafting insight-driven campaigns. Her expertise spans creative strategy, brand building, and ecosystem design—delivering measurable results through data-informed creativity and operational excellence.

Recognized globally for her creative excellence, Zhijun has received numerous prestigious international awards. Her acclaimed work has been widely exhibited at renowned venues and festivals around the world, reflecting her commitment to design innovation and cultural impact.

United States

Alla Stozhok

Founder & Director, Experienced Music Director, Orchestra Artist, Music Educator, Levit Music School Ukraine, Cello Story LLC (USA)

Alla Stozhok is a music director, orchestral artist, and teacher with seven years of experience, and the founder of Levit Music School in Ukraine and Cello Story LLC in the USA.

Alla is the creator of a scientifically recognized method that combines classical music pedagogy with neuropsychology, emotional intelligence, and child development. Featured in the article “Neural Symphony of Business and Education,” her work bridges science, culture, and entrepreneurship. She has led teaching teams, developed programs for over 300 students annually, and organized more than 200 concerts. As a principal cellist, she has performed with top orchestras including the New England Philharmonic, Narragansett Bay Symphony, and the National Opera of Ukraine.

She is deeply committed to using art as a tool for emotional healing and social inclusion—values she brings into all her educational and evaluative work. She has served as a jury member, evaluating projects in innovation, education, and social impact.

China

Sun Wang

design director, Shenzhen Xixiliya Technology Co., LTD

Sun Wang is the Co-founder and Design Director of WooSmell, a fragrance lifestyle brand. He brings an interdisciplinary design background and deep industry expertise to the exploration of scent and space, using a sustainable and innovative language to evoke emotion. His mission is to drive the internationalization of Chinese fragrance brands by elevating their design power and aesthetic value.

With a global perspective and professional authority, Sun Wang holds certifications as a "Green Design Engineer" from the World Green Design Organization and as a "Design Expert" from the China Industrial Design Association. He is an active member of several leading industry bodies, including the China Fashion Design Association, the China Industrial Design Association, the Accessories Art Committee of the China Fashion Design Association, and the Guangdong Industrial Design Association. He also serves on the Shenzhen Longhua District Artists Association and is an invited guest of the Red Dot Design Center Xiamen.

His outstanding design capabilities and unique artistic expression have earned him dozens of prestigious international awards, including the Red Dot Design Award, A' Design Award, MUSE Design Awards, French Design Award, Golden Pin Design Award, Pentawards, London Design Awards, and New York Product Design Awards. His work and design philosophy have been widely featured in dozens of domestic and international media outlets. Through a design language that blends sustainability, emotional resonance, and narrative depth, Sun Wang continues to lead industry practice and aesthetic innovation.

United States

Artur Lebedyev

Brand Strategy Director, Formwork

Artur Lebedyev is a Brand Strategist with recognized expertise in brand positioning and growth strategy for global and emerging brands. His work spans brand development across DTC, fashion, and lifestyle brands - driving cultural relevance and measurable revenue growth through integrated campaigns, experiential activations, partnerships and strategic brand storytelling.

He has led brand strategy for clients including HexClad, Dim Mak, McCormick Spices, and Vita Life Science, collaborating directly with internationally recognized figures such as Steve Aoki, Benny Blanco, Gordon Ramsay, and Nancy Silverton, among others.

United States

Shikhar Mangla

Product Design Lead, Sling TV

Shikhar Mangla is a Lead Product Designer at Sling TV with over 11 years of experience designing and delivering high-quality consumer digital products, bringing a strong focus on user-centered design, innovation, and product excellence.

His work centers on streaming and large-screen TV experiences, where clarity, navigation, accessibility, and interaction quality play a direct role in user satisfaction and engagement. He has led cross-functional initiatives across product design, design systems, prototyping, and usability testing, balancing strong visual craft with practical constraints and measurable outcomes. Passionate about solving problems through digital products, he brings a keen interest in designing interfaces for next-generation devices such as smartphones and wearables, guided by the belief that great products are shaped by the seamless integration of design, experience, and technology.

He reviews design work with a fair, criteria-driven approach, considering concept, execution, usability, and real-world impact, and is particularly drawn to work that simplifies complexity, improves discoverability, and delivers cohesive cross-platform experiences.

United States

Vasu Raj Jain

Senior Software Engineer, Amazon

Vasu is a Senior Software Engineer at Amazon Ads and a University of Florida Alumni with over 10 years of experience building large-scale distributed systems, AI-driven applications, and advertising technology infrastructure. He architects ad serving systems that process millions of requests across Prime Video, live sports, and digital out-of-home platforms, implementing IAB specifications and developing capabilities such as programmatic guaranteed deals, share of voice, and real-time bidding.

His passion for innovation extends across AI, computer vision, and agentic systems. He has built computer vision tools for content classification at Prime Video, developed MCP servers for workflow automation, and created Pause Ads—a hackathon concept that evolved into a live product serving millions of users. During his time at the University of Florida, he developed CPR.VR, a healthcare VR application designed to teach CPR techniques.

Vasu leads and mentors a team of 15 engineers, actively contributes to IAB Tech Lab working groups that shape industry standards, and regularly writes about distributed systems, ad tech, AI, and software architecture. He is committed to sharing knowledge and empowering engineers to build systems that scale.

Brazil

Felipe Paganoti

Senior Art Director, AlmapBBDO

Felipe Paganoti, art director from Rio with over 10 years of experience. He worked at Mullen Lowe, Artplan, Havas, BBDO Guatemala, VMLY & R and is currently at AmapBBDO in São Paulo.

He plays a pivotal role in shaping the artistic direction and vision of the projects undertaken. His keen eye for design, innovative thinking, and ability to inspire the creative team contribute to the studio's ability to deliver captivating solutions for clients across a wide range of industries. He was vice-president of the Rio de Janeiro Creation Club and won several international awards.

He is committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity, infusing each project with a distinct and captivating visual identity. He has an unceasing love for creative projects and an unwavering desire to embark on inventive and daring endeavors. Paganoti’s enthusiasm for crafting drives him to continuously explore imaginative and unconventional ideas, infusing his artistic pursuits with a spirit of innovation.

United Kingdom

Anil Solanki

Senior Director, Dentsu Group

Anil Solanki is a seasoned media and advertising professional with over a decade of experience across Linear TV, digital, print, radio, and out-of-home media.

As Business Director at Dentsu X, he has worked with leading brands across FMCG, BFSI, automotive, and consumer sectors, contributing to impactful campaigns and global industry initiatives. His expertise spans media strategy, brand communications, and cross-platform advertising, while his international jury experience across Asia and Europe reflects his active contribution to the global advertising industry.

United States

Bruna Sotte de Carvalho

Founder & Marketing Strategist, Ettos

Bruna Sotte de Carvalho is the Founder of Ettos Comunica, a Digital Marketing Specialist, and Web Developer. With more than 10 years of experience in marketing, branding, SEO, website development, and digital strategy, she has helped businesses strengthen their online presence, build brand visibility, and achieve sustainable growth through strategic digital initiatives.

Throughout her career, Bruna has collaborated with clients across a diverse range of industries, developing websites, marketing campaigns, and digital solutions focused on performance, user engagement, and customer experience. Her work combines technical expertise with strategic thinking, enabling organizations to improve digital effectiveness while creating meaningful connections with their audiences. She is also the author of a marketing-focused book and has participated in professional review activities, evaluating industry-related content, campaigns, and projects.

Her expertise spans digital advertising, website development, content strategy, branding, and user experience, providing her with a well-rounded perspective on creative excellence, business growth, and the evolving landscape of digital marketing.

Canada

Dr. Mir Damoon Mir

Chief Creative Officer/ Founder, ZIGMA8 | 360 Degrees Creative Communications

Dr. Mir Damoon Mir is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Zigma8, one of Iran’s most internationally awarded advertising agencies. With nearly 20 years of experience in brand strategy and consultancy, he has worked with leading national and global brands, including Samsung, Panasonic, Mastercard, JTI, and Evvoli.

Under his leadership, Zigma8 has earned major international recognition, including multiple ACEF Awards and Asian Leaders Awards, and was named the Best B2B Agency in the Middle East by Clutch.

Beyond advertising, Dr. Mir has contributed to art-house cinema as a communications advisor and Director of Photography. He is also committed to strengthening global industry connections, leading Zigma8 to become the first and only Iran-based member of the 4A’s.

Pakistan

Mir Muhammad Farhad

Design Director, IAL Saatchi & Saatchi

Mir Muhammad Farhad is a design and visual communications leader with more than 17 years of experience in fast-paced agency environments, guiding creative teams from strategic ideation through final execution for major national and international brands.

As Head of Design at IAL Saatchi & Saatchi, Farhad leads the design department, oversees high-level creative development and client presentations, and mentors multidisciplinary teams. He ensures that every project responds effectively to its strategic objectives while maintaining the highest standards of creativity and craft.

His expertise spans brand identity, packaging design, integrated campaigns, visual storytelling, and creative direction across multiple platforms and markets. Throughout his career, he has developed a strong ability to translate complex strategic briefs into distinctive, relevant, and impactful visual experiences. Farhad evaluates creative work through four key principles: the strength of the idea, relevance to the intended audience, quality of execution, and measurable impact on the brand. He values work that challenges conventions with purpose, demonstrates original thinking, and transforms strategic insight into clear and memorable communication. His career includes leading award-winning campaigns and major brand and packaging redesign initiatives implemented across international markets. Beyond his professional practice, Farhad is deeply committed to mentoring emerging creative talent and contributing to the wider design community. As a jury member, he brings an experienced, balanced, and culturally informed perspective to the evaluation of outstanding creative work.

Pakistan

Hamza J Sheikh

Account Director, Ogilvy Pakistan

Hamza J Sheikh is an advertising and communications professional with more than a decade of industry experience. As Account Director at Ogilvy Pakistan, he leads integrated communications for prominent local and global brands, combining strategy, creativity, and cultural insight to deliver effective brand solutions.

He is also a Senior Lecturer and PhD scholar, bringing an academic perspective to advertising, media, and creative effectiveness. Having served on industry award juries including Dragons of Asia, Hamza evaluates creative work with objectivity, cultural awareness, and a strong appreciation for innovation and meaningful impact.

United States

Evan Ortiz

Art Director, Photo, Airbnb

Evan Ortiz is an award-winning creative leader and visual storyteller with more than a decade of experience across editorial, product, photography, and AI-driven content. As Art Director, Photo at Airbnb, he leads visual strategy from concept through execution, collaborating with photographers, designers, writers, producers, and cross-functional teams.

His work spans travel, portraiture, documentary, and brand storytelling, combining strong editorial judgment with emotional resonance and cultural awareness. Evan is committed to elevating underrepresented voices, protecting creativity at scale, and creating experiences that are not only seen, but felt.