The awards are judged by an esteemed panel of industry leaders and experts, the judging is a rigorous two-stage process including pre-scoring to determine shortlists and a judging meeting where entries are discussed and evaluated in detail to decide the winning entries.
From a transparency perspective, we may video aspects of the judging session to show on the evening and give entrants an insight into why a winning entry was chosen.
The 2021 judging panel is as follows:
Head judges
Laura Thomas | Head of Paid Social | MediaCom
Over the last decade, Laura’s worked in various roles across PR, digital and advertising, including running her own business focusing on consultancy for two years, and has delivered social training for companies including Econsultancy and the Chartered Institute of Marketing. In the last five years, Laura’s progressed through various roles at MediaCom North including Head of Display & Head of Digital Media Strategy and within those roles has developed multi-award winning campaigns for clients like New Balance and Missguided. Laura now holds a dual role as an Investment Director responsible for Media Innovation and Social at MediaCom North. In Social, Laura is responsible for leading the paid social product and team across the group – ensuring growth and best practice. In Innovation, Laura works with media owners to give clients across the group access to the most innovative and exciting ways to activate media, enabling them to engage with their audiences on a deeper level and build greater emotional connections. Having worked in social media for different types of businesses, Laura is a passionate believer in the power of using social media to drive meaningful business outcomes and behavioural change.Judges
Sarah Cook | Group Head of Social Media and Content Strategy | Legal & General
Rachael Courtney | Head of Studio Three | Three
Rachael has worked in PR & Events for over 17 years, with 13 years running Social Media for big brands. In her current position she leads the social media team at Three UK and has been responsible for a number of award winning social campaigns.
Joseph Harper | Social Media Manager | Kellogg's
Edgar Linayo | D2D Brand Manager | Nestle
"Strategic-design thinker and curious by nature" - I am truly passionate about design, innovation as well as brand building. I have over 15 years of experience focused on fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). As a brand builder, I have been blessed to be part of paramount projects for acclaimed top global brands such as Ariel®, Bold®, Pampers®, Always®, Tampax®, Tess®, Naturella®, Vicks®, Ruffles®, Twistos®, Lay's®, Maggi®, Purina®, among many others. Furthermore, I have worked with praised local and regional brands. I took part of the global team at Bacardi Limited, the largest private family-owned company full of passionate employees and iconic brands as Bacardi® Rums, Grey Goose® Vodka, Bombay Sapphire® Gin, Martini®, and shaped by their rich history of spirited entrepreneurship. Nowadays, I am working at Nestlé as part of the central team overseeing EMENA projects.
Paul Morris | Havas Media | Head of eCommerce
Paul has 20 years’ experience leading Marketing & Digital both Agency & Brand side. Paul was previously Head of Marketing at Tesco Bank, global Digital Director at PZ Cussons (brands including St Tropez, Imperial Leather & Original Source), led Digital marketing at the Co-op Group (Food > Funeralcare) and has through the line experience of working both client and agency side with brands including Wickes, Laterooms, Intercontinental Hotel Group, Cash Generator, Stagecoach and Silverstone.
Mazen Mroue | Head of Global Digital Media and Tech | Frieslandcampina
Mazen is the head of Global Digital Media and Tech, The Netherlands. His responsibilities cover media, technology, CRM, Website/SEO and innovation. Mazen oversees media pitches, digital strategies, and design of the technology ecosystem following the JBP with key suppliers such as Facebook, Google, TikTok & Snapchat. Before moving to the Netherlands, Mazen worked at the agency side for 6+ years based in Dubai, Singapore, and Beirut. His diverse portfolio covers prominent multinationals such as BlackBerry, Samsung, Emirates, Etihad airlines, and all the Richemont Luxury brands. Besides being a member of the world federation of advertisers, Core member in programmatic taskforce at Iab Nederlands, member of the programmatic committee at iab SEA+India and holding 100+ certifications across all digital platforms and technologies, Mazen won many prestigious digital awards targeting the MENA region and is looking to score more worldwide. Mazen is a big believer in training both the body and the mind to be strong. So next to his professional achievements, he is a world marathoner and Guinness World Record holder, with more than 60 full marathons completed and many ultras.