Day One: MAD Stars 2024 Festival officially under way in Busan, South Korea
MAD STARS has opened its doors at BEXCO, in Busan, South Korea beginning three days of inspiring speaker sessions, networking parties, and the MAD STARS Awards presentation, under the theme, AIM: Aim Marketing Success with AI.
The festival which takes place annually, runs from 21 -23 August, culminating in a Welcome Reception and Awards Show in BEXCO, BUSAN on 23 August, followed by the After Party.
“This is a pivotal year for MAD STARS, its first year of paid entries into the Awards that signifies its coming of age on the global stage, making it the largest advertising festival that brings East and West together,” says Hwanjin Choi, chairperson of MAD STARS.
MAD STAR’s commitment to the industry’s future is underpinned by its NEW STARS and YOUNG STARS competitions, which also take place during this week. This year, for college 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 emerging talents will be mentored and assessed by juries selected from the world’s top tier of industry professionals.
One of the highlights of MAD STARS is its Conference, this year featuring 44 speaker sessions in 2 divisions, including keynote sessions:
How Artificial Intelligence and Creativity Can Fuel Innovation will be presented by Fernando Machado, operating partner, marketing advisor, and board member of Garnett Station Partners, is the former CMO 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 Park, chief executive officer of HSAD in the Republic of Korea at the forefront of high-efficiency communication innovation, leading one of the most innovative digital companies.
Yesterday on Day 1 the Conversation with the Executive Jury, a perennial highlight of MAD STARS sessions and the opening of the conference took place. This year it featured four of the industry’s most prominent leaders – Gabriel Lora, VP of Strategy & Digital Transformation, FCB Newlink; Emma de la Fosse, chief creative officer, Edelman UK; Matt MacDonald, chief creative officer, BBDO New York; and Suzana Apelbaum, head of creative and innovation, Google. Sangsoo Chong, the vice chairperson of the MAD STARS Organising Committee, moderated it.
Find the full MAD STARS Conference schedule here.
Also on Day 1 were presentations from Wayne Deakin, Global Principal and Creative at Wolff Olins, and Hemant Shringy, Chief Creative Officer at FCB Ulka, India.
The MAD STARS Awards are presented as Gold, Silver, and Bronze trophies as well as Crystal certificates, plus 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 encouraging world peace and the improvement of the quality of human life.
The MAD STARS Exhibition will run throughout the festival, an opportunity for Festival delegates to view some of the best creative the world has to offer right now, as well as visiting the Networking Lounge and Promotion Booth.
MAD STARS finished the day with all attending delegates at the Opening Ceremony and Opening Gala, the official event to kick off its world-class event.
