Spikes Asia Opens for Entries and Launches new Categories

The Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity, Asia Pacific’s premier awards and festival for the creative communications industry, is now open for entries across 18 categories ahead of the 2014 awards. Emad Tahtouh, Director of Applied Technology of FINCH, Australia, and June Laffey, Executive Creative Director of McCann Health, Australia, are the first names to make up this year’s dedicated collection of jury presidents and will head up the inaugural Innovation and Healthcare categories.

Reflecting the growth and development of the industry in Asia Pacific, this year sees the introduction of two new entry categories at Spikes Asia. The Innovation Category, will award breakthrough technology and innovation, and the Healthcare Category will celebrate brave and innovative communications ideas within the health, wellness and pharmaceutical industries.

Heading up the Innovation Category will be Emad Tahtouh, Director of Applied Technology, FINCH, Australia. Starting his career as a Network Engineer, Emad moved into production following his passion for the way technology changes storytelling. He’s gone on to develop and curate a range of technology solutions for multi-award winning campaigns.

About his role as jury president Emad said, ‘Innovation and Technology are quickly becoming a necessity in our industry. Helping to shape and define the standard we choose to judge the best pieces of work with is a tremendous challenge, and I’m excited and honoured to be a part of it.’

June Laffey, Executive Creative Director, McCann Health, Australia will preside over the Healthcare Category. Since joining in 2010, June has helped McCann Health Sydney become recognised as APACs most awarded healthcare agency.

Commenting on her appointment, June said, ‘The fact that Spikes Asia is extending into the healthcare industry is both important and exciting. Innovative, creative, game-changing solutions in the health/pharma space don’t just have the potential to win in a world-class festival such as Spikes, they have the ability to change and save lives. So a credible awards competition such as Spikes that encourages and recognises creativity in this area can only be a good thing.’

Terry Savage, CEO of Lions Festivals said, ‘We are delighted to be able to announce jury presidents of such high calibre in line with Spikes Asia opening for entries. It is fantastic that the first ever Innovation and Healthcare categories will be judged by such formidable professionals as Emad and June.’

All of the shortlisted work will be on display through exhibitions and screenings throughout the Festival offering attendees the chance to get an up-to-date view of the region’s creative output. Anyone wishing to enter the awards can find further information on how to submit, along with rules and fees at www.spikes.asia. The deadline for entries submissions is 25 July.