Round 1 Jury
TAYLORS OF HARROGATE REPRESENTATIVES
Alex Murphy, International Business Manager (Europe & Canada), Taylors of Harrogate
From a background in Finance in International businesses such as Red Bull, Burberry & Mastercard, Alex brings a varied and commercial focus to Taylors of Harrogate business management. Harnessing a passion for food & drink over the past 8 years at Taylors of Harrogate, Alex continues to drive positive change in a growing business.
Beccie Hannaway, Senior Brand & Activation Manager, Taylors of Harrogate
Beccie is a seasoned brand and design professional with a degree in Graphic & Communications Design. After starting her career agency-side as a Creative Lead, she moved into in-house brand marketing roles, spending the past 10 years at Taylors of Harrogate. She leads the global brand presence for Taylors of Harrogate tea, with a key focus on the USA and Canada. Her work has earned industry recognition, including The Drum Marketing Awards, Marketing Week Engage Awards, and CIPR PRide Awards.
Stephen Jones, International Marketing & USA Business Lead, Taylors of Harrogate
Steve is an experienced marketing and commercial leader with a strong track record in global brand management, international marketing, and business development. As the International Marketing & USA Business Lead at Taylors of Harrogate, he heads up the International Brand Team, overseeing the Taylors of Harrogate Speciality Tea brand and managing the international representation of Yorkshire Tea across 50 markets worldwide. Additionally, he leads the company’s USA commercial business.
Steve holds a BA in Business Studies from the University of Sheffield and has had a career spanning a variety of marketing, brand management, and commercial roles at leading global companies, including Mars, Coca-Cola, Barclays, and AB World Foods. Since joining Taylors of Harrogate in 2016, Steve has been instrumental in driving the company’s international growth.
Suzy Loader, Creative Lead, Taylors of Harrogate
Suzy Loader is the newly appointed Creative Lead at Betty and Taylors of Harrogate, bringing over 25 years of experience in the design industry. With a successful background in brand and packaging design in the FMCG sector, with standout roles at Woolworths (Australia) and ASDA (UK).
Suzy is a brand ambassador at heart, and a passionate advocate for delivering world-class, distinctive designs that make an impact. With a keen understanding of the power of design to shape and elevate brands, she’s committed to creating experiences that are both innovative and meaningful.
AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES
Agnieszka Klimczak, Creative Partner/ Founder, OK Human
Copywriter in flesh and blood, she started working in advertising when print was still cool. In fact, one of her first ever print ads won the Cannes Lions Young Creatives competition in Poland.
She is Creative and Founding Partner in OK Human. In 2022 her agency won Design studio of the Year, Grand Prix in Innovation, Communication of the Year and Design of the Year. She won several Cannes Lions, Eurobest and One Show awards and many national awards, including several Grand Prix. In 2024 her project “My First Poison” was 4X Cannes Lions Finalist and won Gold in Effie Poland and then Gold in Effie Europe.
She also had the honor to be juror in national, regional and international juries, including Cannes Lions, she was member of the board of Polish Club of Advertising and lecturer in Warsaw School od of Advertising. Mother of two boys, in her free time she runs a small company designing modern dollhouses (Łódź Design Festival Award, Wallpaper* Selection).
Álvaro Alés, CEO, 360º MC Group
Álvaro Alés is a marketing and communications expert with over 30 years of experience in brand strategy, advertising and communications. As the founder and CEO of 360º MC Group, he has led innovative projects that bridge marketing, gastronomy, and luxury tourism.
His expertise in the advertising industry is reinforced by his extensive experience as a jury member in prestigious international awards, including Effie Europe (2019), IPM UK (2019), MAA GLOBES (2011, 2013), Festival Iberoamericano El Sol (2010, 2012, 2018), EGO Awards Chile (2011), and APMC Awards Ireland (2010, 2011, 2018), IMCC European Awards (2005-2021).
Since 2022, he is serving as Chairman of the IMPACT Awards, further solidifying his role as a key figure in recognizing and promoting creativity and effectiveness in marketing at a European level. With a global vision and a deep understanding of brand experience.
Pedro P. Cruz, Creative Director, 360º MC Group
Creativity, as Jonathan sees it, isn’t some mystical power bestowed on the few – it is simply a lack of fear to try something different. Now different always seems odd at first, but he believes odd is how you change things.
This fearlessness to provide a different perspective in a room full of people who already believe they think different, has allowed Jonathan to touch countless industry recognised projects – some of which have most recently been awarded Cannes Gold, DandAD Pencils, New York Festival trophies, Effie Awards, ADC nails, Clio statues and Best Agency recognitions.
From Heineken, l’Oreal and McDonald’s to Mercedes and Nestlé, from a fork that sauces every bite as you eat, to famous musicians performing live from inside of a jukebox, Jonathan’s oddinary approach to creative can be seen on many iconic pieces across South Africa and Germany – work he’s sure you probably haven’t seen as you hit “skip” or head to the bathroom during the ad break.
Andreea Calarasu, Unit Business Lead and Brand Strategist, Jam Session
Andreea fell in love with strategy in 2016 at DDB Romania. Having a passionate mentor played a crucial role in this introduction, and she remains grateful for it to this day. Fascinated by human behavior in all forms of expression, she simultaneously explored behavioral sciences and ethnography while majoring in fine arts—channeling her ambitions into creating tactile photography for people with visual impairments.
Over the past eight years, during her time at Jazz & Jam Session Agency, Andreea has worked alongside businesses across various categories, earning over 90 awards and distinctions for business, brand and social impact, disruptive strategies, content performance, and more. These achievements led to her inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2023.
She served as a Grand Jury member for the New York Festivals Ad Awards in 2022 and as an Effie Romania juror in 2024. Alongside her teams, she has contributed to securing 12 Euro and national Effie awards, as well as titles such as Most Effective Independent Agency in Europe (Effie Index 2023) and Most Creative Agency (RO Art Directors’ Club 2023 & 2024).
Jonas Gaston, Social & Brand Activation Strategist, Robert/Boisen & Like-minded, Denmark
Jonas Gaston is a Brand Activation Strategist at Robert/Boisen & Like-minded, an independent Danish agency. In this role Jonas has years of experience working with a very diverse portfolio of clients, which extends from NGOs to commercial clients both through a B2C and B2B perspective. Some notable clients include, Danish Cancer Society, Velliv and Andel. Jonas has a dedication towards driving campaigns, which has an actual and positive lasting impact on the world.
Manuela Šola, General Manager, Komunikacijski laboratorij d.o.o.
After finishing the Faculty of Economics and Business in Zagreb, she finished the School for Personal and Organizational Development, the London School of Public Relations (LSPR) and the COTRUGLI Business School. In 2004 she founded one of today's leading communication agencies in the region, Komunikacijski laboratorij.
She is an active member of a relevant professional and business associations, such as the Croatian Association of Employers, where she is the president of the Supervisory Board, member of the Croatian Association of Market Communication Societies (HURA!) and a member of the Croatian Association for Public Relations. She is part of the Croatian Association of Managers and Entrepreneurs CROMA, member of the international association IPRA and a president of the Women Green Leaders Club within the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA).
Šola was chosen as an ambassador of female entrepreneurship within the Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors project. The Croatian Association of Managers CROMA recognized her work and awarded her the Anton Nino Cerin award for the best young manager in 2009.
Marc Thevabalan, Senior Strategic Planner, McCann Germany
Marc Thevabalan is a German strategist with over eight years of experience in the advertising industry. With a background spanning music, business and marketing, he seamlessly blends creative intuition with analytical precision to craft strategies that build meaningful connections between brands and people. His strategic excellence has been recognized with multiple industry accolades, including two Effies and a New York Festival Award, underscoring his ability to drive impactful and award-winning work.
Driven by a deep curiosity for culture and consumer behavior, Marc has worked across national and global markets, collaborating with leading brands in FMCG, retail, finance, and automotive, including Reckitt, Lidl, Aldi, Thomy, Sanofi, Allianz & Allianz Direct, Ford, and Citroën. His expertise also extends to B2B and governmental branding, having shaped brand positionings for NRW.Global Invest and Munich RE.
Marta Fitak, Senior Account Manager, TBWA The Disruption® Company
Marta Fitak embarked on her professional journey during her studies, initiating her career in loyalty programs. As she took on progressively challenging responsibilities, Marta evolved into a project manager within a small agency. Her fascination lies in the ability to connect with potential customers through diverse communication methods.
For nearly five years, Marta has assumed the role of Project Manager in the Client Service team for the main TBWA Warsaw clients - Nissan and Philips. These projects encompass online and offline campaigns, social media support, and local activities.
Miroslav Rosko, Chief Data & Strategy Officer, Dentsu Slovakia
Miroslav began his career in the world of advertising & media twenty years ago, when he joined a media agency as a Media Planner. After this long career path, he went through several positions from media planning to management such as Account Manager, Client Service Director, Managing Director, and finally transformed his role into the head of the analytical and strategic department at dentsu Slovakia.
In his role, he tries to turn a lot of data into useful knowledge and also help brands grow thanks to a properly prepared media strategy.
He also takes care of the development of young talents and has participated in the evaluation of several awards, such as Cannes Young Lions or FLEMA Media Awards.
Peppiina Raisanen, Insight Consultant, Kantar Finland
Manuel Sgrazzutti, Performance & Advertising Manager, The BrandFormance Society
Manuel Sgrazzutti is a digital marketing professional with a strong focus on performance marketing, advertising, data analysis, and marketing automation, particularly in the e-commerce sector. As Performance & Advertising Manager at The BrandFormance Society, he develops and optimizes advertising strategies to drive online sales and maximize campaign efficiency.
Previously, he worked in digital marketing agencies, refining his expertise in paid media and data-driven campaign management. His career began in an organization in the fitness industry, where he managed performance-driven campaigns, oversaw digital marketing efforts, and implemented automation strategies to enhance customer engagement.
With a strategic mindset and analytical approach, he continues to drive business growth through innovative and data-backed marketing solutions
Tommaso Mangiarotti, Account Executive, Dentsu Creative Italy
Tommaso Mangiarotti, a young professional hailing from Italy, presently serves as an Account Executive at Dentsu Creative Italy.
His journey into the world of marketing commenced when he joined a small Video Games marketing company in Tokyo, where he discovered his passion for all things marketing. Since then, Tommaso has continued to develop his career in Italy, taking on the role of account executive in communication agencies.
In his career, he has worked for clients at both global and national level, such as Campari Group, MSC Cruises, DAZN, Sanofi, Generali, with a focus on TV production, integrated campaigns, digital, and print advertising.
Zhelez Atanasov, Strategic Planning Director, Noble Graphics
After a master’s degree in 'Brand Strategy' from SupDePub Paris and nearly a year at BETC Paris, Zhelez returned to Bulgaria to develop the strategic unit at Noble Graphics. Fourteen years later, Zhelez is the Strategic Planning Director at the very same agency.
During this period, Noble Graphics won 'Most Creative Agency' four times at the local creative festival FARA, and 'Most Effective Agency' at Effie Bulgaria 7 times. The strategic and creative work led by Zhelez has been recognized at Golden Drum, Epica Awards, Eurobest, and Cresta.
In 2014, Zhelez got to the stage of Cannes Lions, securing the first and only gold medal for Bulgaria in the Young Lions Film competition. He has been part of the juries on FARA, as well as Golden Drum.
Sophia Ludorf, Account Director, McCann Germany
At just 28 years old, Sophia has already taken on the responsibility of Client Lead for one of McCann’s most important clients, L’Oréal Paris, successfully managing this major role with her five-person team. She has led high-profile projects with mega-celebrities and been fully responsible for major shoots.
Beyond that, she stands out for her strong performance in pitches for new clients and an exceptional ability to build client relationships. After completing her training as a marketing communications specialist in 2019, Sophia has pursued her career with determination over the past six years, rising to the position of Account Director.
At the beginning of 2025, she was appointed to McCann Germany’s leadership team. In addition, Sophia is highly committed to topics such as inclusion, female empowerment, and young leadership at McCann Germany, contributing to a diverse corporate culture.
Jonathan Dennis, Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup
Creativity, as Jonathan sees it, isn’t some mystical power bestowed on the few – it is simply a lack of fear to try something different. Now different always seems odd at first, but he believes odd is how you change things.
This fearlessness to provide a different perspective in a room full of people who already believe they think different, has allowed Jonathan to touch countless industry recognised projects – some of which have most recently been awarded Cannes Gold, DandAD Pencils, New York Festival trophies, Effie Awards, ADC nails, Clio statues and Best Agency recognitions.
From Heineken, l’Oreal and McDonald’s to Mercedes and Nestlé, from a fork that sauces every bite as you eat, to famous musicians performing live from inside of a jukebox, Jonathan’s oddinary approach to creative can be seen on many iconic pieces across South Africa and Germany – work he’s sure you probably haven’t seen as you hit “skip” or head to the bathroom during the ad break.
Michaela Brůhová, Senior Digital Creative, McCann Prague
Michaela Brůhová is a Senior Digital Creative at McCann Prague and a board member of ADC Czech Republic. She has been working in advertising for over seven years, gaining experience at agencies such as Triad Advertising and VML. She believes in the power of digital expertise, which has helped her win awards in both digital and film categories at advertising competitions.
Sean Poropat, Creative Director, Co-Owner and Co-Founder, Studio Sonda
ACADEMICS
Amelie Blum, Panthéon-Assas University, France
Dr. Amélie Blum is an Assistant Professor at the University of Paris Panthéon-Assas, with a PhD in Management Science. Prior to her academic career, and after her master’s degree at EM Lyon, she held managerial positions in the corporate world. Her research focuses on brand stores, experiential marketing, and service quality. She received the 2023 Thil d'Or Award for her work on the quality and value of in-store experiences, particularly authenticity and its impact on brand relationships. Her research now extends to ethical and responsible consumption.
Benjamin Dieu, CEU Cardenal Herrera University, Spain
Dr. Benjamin Dieu is a lecturer, graphic designer, and international coordinator at CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia, Spain.
With a background in advertising and teaching, he combines academic expertise with an innovative approach to design and communication.
Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in advertising and leading initiatives on artificial intelligence applied to creative advertising.
Betty Tsakarestou, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Greece
Betty Tsakarestou is an associate professor and co-initiator director of the Advertising and Public Relations Laboratory – ADandPRLAB at the Department of Communication, Media and Culture, associate director of the interdisciplinary postgraduate program MA Digital Transformation: e-Diplomacy, e-Campaigning and Digital Law, Department of Communication, Media and Culture, scientific coordinator of CREATIVE+ the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub and member of Technology Transfer Office of Panteion University. She is serving as Branding Chair & European Research liaison at the International Communication Division of AEJMC, board member at edcom- the European Institute for Commercial Communications Education, member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Institute of Communication, mentor at The People's Trust and member of the expert team at Envolve Entrepreneurship, member of the Board of Directors at insidestory.gr
Betty is also an International Exchange Alumna of the Study of U.S. Institutes on Journalism and Media with the support of US Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Athens, and Alumni TIES grantee for the research project "The Room Where It Happens" Project to address disinformation that is developed and disseminated in closed encrypted apps in the fields of politics, communication and commercial messages, influencer communication and the infodemic (in the period of Covid 19) and religion.
Her academic (teaching and research) interests focus on advertising and public relations, strategic and corporate communication and reputation management, crisis management, responsible-sustainable consumption and experience in physical and digital environments, immersive branding & story-doing, city branding, startup entrepreneurship and social innovation with a human-centric and technological approach (human tech) and based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, ESG.)
Boryana Gigova, New Bulgarian University, Bulgaria
With a passion for marketing that transcends profession into personal hobby, Dr. Boryana Gigova brings over 15 years of international expertise in strategic marketing, branding, business development, and communications across diverse regions including the USA, Canada, France, South America, and the UAE.
Her journey seamlessly intertwines professional experience with academic achievements. Boryana holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in political management and public policy from the New Bulgarian University. She further solidified her academic prowess with a PhD in branding, a testament to her commitment to excellence.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Boryana shares her knowledge and insights as a lecturer at the New Bulgarian University and University of York, City College, spanning three departments. Her dedication to education extends to her involvement in volunteering and professional endeavors, blending her passion for advertising and branding seamlessly.
Boryana Gigova is renowned for her adeptness in transforming and innovating brands, boasting a remarkable track record in developing and launching new digital brands through compelling storytelling, engaging gamification strategies, and impactful influencer marketing campaigns. As a licensed Meta, Google, TikTok, and Spotify optimizer, she remains at the forefront of cutting-edge marketing technologies and strategies, consistently driving impactful results and elevating brand experiences.
Dagmar Weberova, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic
Dr. Dagmar Weberova is a distinguished academic and practitioner in the fields of management and marketing communication. A graduate of the Faculty of Arts at Comenius University in Bratislava, she began her academic career in 2000 at the Faculty of Management, Comenius University, Slovakia, where she served as Head of the Department of English Language. Since 2014, she has been an Associate Professor at the Department of Marketing Communications, Faculty of Multimedia Communications, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic.
Dagmar's academic expertise spans cross-cultural management, intercultural communication, international marketing, consumer behaviour, and globalisation. Her research and pedagogical work reflect her commitment to advancing these areas of study. Additionally, she actively contributes to business practice by offering consultation services on international business negotiations and workforce diversity within multinational corporations. Since 2022, she has also been a proud member of the Edcom organization, where she contributes to strengthening the link between academia and professional practice.
Dagmar firmly believes that meaningful work should combine professionalism with a sense of playfulness, fostering creativity and innovation. Her dedication is driven by a desire to influence society positively—whether through her teaching, mentoring, or research activities. Guided by this philosophy, she strives to inspire students, colleagues, and collaborators to achieve excellence, bridge cultural divides, and contribute to building a more connected, understanding, and equitable world.
Georgia Miliopoulou, American College of Greece, Greece
Dr. Georgia Miliopoulou, Ph.D, is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Education & Employability. She is the author of the book Creative Advertising Concept & Copy: A Practical, Multidisciplinary Approach, by Routledge (https://www.routledge.com/Creative-Advertising-Concept-and-Copy-A-Practical-Multidisciplinary-Approach/Miliopoulou/p/book/9781032362045).
Ioana Rusu, FSPAC University, Romania
Over the years, she has been involved in extracurricular projects, coordinating student teams for various internship projects and student competitions in the Marcom area.
The most recent project involves co-authoring The Little Exercise Book of Advertising, an exercise book in the field of advertising.
John Bredican, King's College Business School, UK
Dr John Bredican is a distinguished academic and marketing professional with extensive experience in media, advertising, communications, and strategic innovation. With 15 years of lecturing experience, he currently serves as a Senior Lecturer of Marketing at King's College.His academic credentials include a PhD from KTH University, an MBA from RSM Erasmus University, and a BA in English Literature and History. Dr. Bredican's research concentrates on marketing, mobile communications and education.
Previously, he held strategic roles in media and telecommunications, including management positions at GCap Plc and leadership of a pioneering podcasting start-up. As general manager of Studio Time, a leading audio recording studio, he developed innovative strategies that significantly expanded consumer engagement.
With nearly two decades of experience across media, communications and academic sectors, Dr. Bredican brings a unique blend of practical expertise and scholarly insight, consistently driving innovation and strategic thinking in communication and marketing landscapes.
Leyla Tavernaro-Haidarian, FHWien der WKW University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication, Austria
Dr. Leyla Tavernaro-Haidarian, MA is International Course Manager, Academic Expert and Lecturer and in charge of strategic internationalization in the Department of Communication at the Vienna University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication.
She has worked as a practitioner in the media industry and managed various aspects of communication in organizational settings, including her own media company and as leadership development consultant and senior researcher for the United Nations. In her publications she explores the nexus of communication, sustainability, and ethics.
Leyla serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Deliberative Democracy and is a member of the International Association for Media and Communication Research.
Madalina Moraru, University of Bucharest, Romania
Dr. Mădălina Moraru is the Vice-Dean of Faculty of Journalism and Communication Studies, Universities of Bucharest, Associate Professor and Director of the Advertising and Digital Communication Master Program at the same university. She has over 16 years of experience teaching advertising and she is a member of Edcom – EACA, ECREA, and ESA. From 2010 to 2013 she received postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oklahoma, US, and Staffordshire University and Buckinghamshire New University, UK. Between 2010 and 2013 she conducted a strategic European grant on glocalization topic.
During her activity, she authored many chapters, over 20 research articles, as well as two books focusing on myth, storytelling, and planning in advertising.
She is active by getting involved in the Romanian industry’s projects and being invited to the most important events: Advertising Day, Fibra award, member in Romanian Effie Juries.
Patricia Medcalf, Technological University Dublin, Ireland
Dr Patricia Medcalf is a Senior Lecturer in Advertising and Marketing at TU Dublin and she is the Programme Coordinator on the BA in Advertising and Marketing Communications.
Previously, she was Project Director with branding specialists The Identity Business (renamed Brand Union), and Marketing Consultant with Siemens. In 2004, she published the textbook, Marketing Communications: An Irish Perspective.
Her PhD thesis analysed five decades of Guinness Advertising in Ireland. Recent publications in this area include a chapter in Patriomoine/Cultural Heritage in France and Ireland (2019) and a piece on Advertising in the 2019 publication, Recalling the Celtic Tiger. In 2020, she published Advertising the Black Stuff in Ireland 1959-1999: Increments of Change, volume 95 in the Reimagining Ireland series.
Inge Barkmeijer, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands
Curious by nature, marketeer by heart, lecturer and creative coach by profession.
• Key interests: Branding, Marketing, and Creative Thinking.
• Typically Inge: Creative, Curious, Creating possibilities, and Cheerful (The 4 C’s).
After ten years of work experience in the field of Marketing and MarCom, Dr. Inge Barkmeijer has been lecturing at The Hague University. She is often found at conferences where topics like neuromarketing, branding, social media marketing, creative thinking, and, lately, AI are discussed. This allows her to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments, which she then shares with her students. Inge is dedicated to helping students develop into young marketing professionals who can confidently navigate change.
As a juror in the AdVenture competition, she pays particular attention to participants' ability to identify a consumer insight—that "Aha" moment that can only be uncovered through thorough research. She values understanding why people behave the way they do and how a client’s product can become part of their lives. In the marketing communication campaigns, it should be evident who the target group is, how well the participants understand them, and how this knowledge is translated into the campaign. Inge encourages participants to continually ask themselves, "Does this help to reach our client's objectives?
Jo De Bruyn, Hogeschool Gent, Belgium
Rebecca Dry, ISCOM, France
Steven Meel, Thomas More, Belgium
Dr. Steven Meel has over 20 years of experience in the media and advertising industry, advising international brands and organisations on strategic touchpoints and creative translation.
As a C-level consultant, he has guided impactful campaigns worldwide.
Currently, he coordinates the International Communication and Media program at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, inspiring the next generation of marketing and communication professionals.
Zhanna Kozlova, Breda University, The Netherlands
Zhanna Kozlova is a marketing professional and academic with a diverse background in event management, marketing communications, campaigning, and digital strategy. She currently works as a Lecturer in Online Marketing (Creative Business) and Digital Transformation (Applied Data Science and AI) at Breda University of Applied Sciences. Zhanna teaches a wide range of marketing courses, from marketing theory and campaigning to data-driven marketing.
Before transitioning into academia, Zhanna held various marketing roles across different industries. Notably, she was a Marketing Event Manager for the Harvard Business Review Magazine at Sanoma, organizing events for industry leaders. She also worked at Cosmopolitan Magazine, assisting in event planning and business partner outreach. Her professional experience includes marketing positions at Hasbro (you probably know My Little Pony and Furby), Digidentity, and Color Control Group. Throughout her career, Zhanna has combined practical expertise with academic insight, contributing to innovation and strategic development in marketing and communications.
Zhanna is passionate about marketing and discovering creative ways to attract new customers through meaningful marketing campaigns.