Spikes Asia: Jeff Benjamin to chair Digital jury and Mark Patterson to chair Media jury

Jeff Benjamin, Partner and Chief Creative Officer of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, will lead the Digital jury at Spikes Asia and Mark Patterson, CEO of GroupM Asia Pacific, will chair the Media jury.

Jeff Benjamin (left) has been recognised nationally and internationally by every major industry award show. Wins include the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions in three different categories. His work has been showcased in several publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Communication Arts, Time, and Newsweek. He has also been a featured commentator on CNBC. Jeff joined CP+B at the end of 2003 as Interactive Executive Creative Director. Now as Partner and Chief Creative Officer of Crispin Porter + Bogusky, he works on brands such as Kraft, Microsoft, Domino’s Pizza, Coke Zero, and Best Buy.

Commenting on his appointment, Jeff Benjamin said, “I’m excited to be a part of Spikes Asia this year. The Asia Pacific region has always been a source of invention and creativity for the entire world. And this year, perhaps more than others, it will be a source of inspiration for how the creative spirit triumphs in even the toughest times.”

Mark Patterson (right), appointed CEO of GroupM Asia Pacific in early 2009, is responsible for all WPP’s media assets in the region including MindShare, MediaEdge:CIA (MEC), MediaCom, MAXUS and Kinetic with combined billings of over US$11bn (RECMA) and just under 5000 employees.

“I am looking for great work that worked in a market context. I am looking for real actionable insights and I am looking for media agencies to step up, sell their brand stories and be as proud of their work as other agencies ,” says Mark.

“We are delighted that two such high-profile and experienced practioners in digital and media will be leading the Juries at Spikes, where the work is as exciting and diverse as the region itself. We welcome Jeff and Mark to the Festival and look forward to working with them both,” says Philip Thomas, CEO of Cannes Lions, who with Haymarket are joint organisers of the festival.