Washington Olivetto to head AdFest jury line-up

In a major coup for AdFest Brazilian advertising star, Washington Olivetto, will be Grand Jury President at next year’s festival.

As Creative Director and President of Brazilian agency W/, Olivetto was elected the most awarded creative of the past 20 years by Globo, Brazil’s largest TV network, and has twice been elected Advertising Man of the Century by the Latin American Advertising Agencies Association.

One of the most awarded advertising men in the world, Olivetto has won more than 50 Lions in the Cannes Advertising Festival in the Film category alone. In fact, Olivetto is so famous in Brazil, he has had pop songs written about his agency, proving that advertising can have a major influence on popular culture when it is embraced and celebrated by the consumers who view it.

“I think AdFest is a festival of utmost importance. Accepting thisinvitation allows me to analyze and review Asian advertising, and spendsome wonderful days in Thailand. Many of the really new and inspiringthings in global advertising have sprung up in Asia in the last fewyears. It is advertising that always surprises us – and veryfavorably,” says Olivetto.

As Grand Jury President, Olivetto will over see the Jury Panel for theFilm & Radio Lotus categories, as well as the INNOVA, 360 and LOTUSROOTS Lotus Awards. He will also host a seminar at AdFest, sharinginvaluable insights about creating advertising that shapes culture.

“It is a great honor to invite Mr Olivetto to AdFest. He is one of theworld’s great advertising minds, and he has played a major role inmaking Brazilian advertising famous around the world. We will all learnso much from his experiences,” says Jimmy Lam, President of AdFest.

In 2009, Olivetto entered the Ibero-American Advertising Festival’sHall of Fame. He is also the author of three best-selling books, whichdescribe his terrifying experience of being kidnapped for two months inBrazil in 2001.

“Last year, we welcomed Britain’s most famous advertising executive,Sir John Hegarty, as Grand Jury President. This year, we have securedone of Brazil’s famous advertising executives, Mr Washington Olivetto.The caliber of our Jury Panel reaffirms AdFest’s commitment to bringingthe world’s great advertising minds together in Asia to inspire andlearn from each other,” says Vinit Suraphongchai, Chairman of AdFest.

The 2010 festival will take place in Pattaya, Thailand on 18-20 March 2010.