MUMBAI: Spikes Asia, the annual award and festival for creative excellence in advertising and communications, has announced DDB Worldwide chief creative officer Amir Kassaei as radio jury president for the 2012 festival.

Kassaei, will also lead the film, print, outdoor and integrated jury. He has gained experience with agencies such as TBWA Worldwide, Barci & Partner and Springer & Jacoby before joining DDB in 2003. He and his team are recipients of more than 2,000 national and international awards including 40 Cannes Lions in the past five years. Under Kassaei’s leadership, DDB Germany has been ranked as the most awarded German agency in The Gunn Report. He was named The Big Won Report’s Top chief creative officer in 2009.

Commenting on his appointment, Kassaei said, "It is a great honour to be leading the jury this year. I am looking forward to a lot of innovative and inspiring ideas of international endurance. Asia is going to play a very important role – not only in terms of the economy, but also in creative terms – for our industry and for business overall."

Lions Festivals chairman Terry Savage said, "Year on year we’re seeing Spikes Asia grow in all directions, from entries to delegates to the level of content, meaning that the festival is firmly established as the must-attend regional event for the industry. To ensure that it remains so, and that it stays as a true reflection of the industry and region, it’s crucial that we have the right people involved. All presidents have been chosen for their proven achievements and their clear ability to determine the best in creativity and set precedent within the region."

Heading up the media jury will be GroupM Global president Dominic Proctor, while Draftfcb Global Retail & Promotions Officer Tina Manikas will preside over the direct and promo & activation jury.

The festival awards the best creative work in radio and other categories like film, print, outdoor, digital, integrated, direct, promo & activation, media, print craft, film craft, design, mobile and PR.

The Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity is scheduled to take place from 16-18 September in Suntec Singapore.

Key 2012 Dates

Delegate Registration: Open

Entries: Open

Entries Deadline: 20 July 2012

Delegate Early Bird Registration Ends: 1 August 2012

Festival Dates: 16-18 September 2012