AdStars entries up 31% on last year – $30,000 to be handed out at August 25-27 advertising festival
The total number of entries to the AdStars 2011 Advertising Festival in Korea has increased by 31 percent on last year’s entry levels. This year the Busan-based festival received a total of 7,130 works, submitted from 46 countries. This is up on 5,427 entered from 41 countries last year.
The number entries from countries other than Korea increased by 22% to 4,622. Especially, it was confirmed that large numbers of works came not only from Asia, but also from Europe, North America and South Africa. Of particular note, entries from eight countries, Qatar, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay, Egypt and Slovenia, were submitted to the festival for the first time this year, demonstrating that AdStars has reached beyond Asia to become a truly international advertising festival.
In addition, classifying the works by company revealed that global PR and advertising agencies submitted a significant number of works. The world’s leading advertising agencies, including JWT, Ogilvy & Mather, TBWA, Y&R and Publicis, submitted over 150 works each from their global networks.
Eui-ja Lee, Co-Chairperson of AdStars executive committee, said: “I have greater expectations for the event in the future, as the quality of entries is also improving, in addition to the quantitative growth. I have the firm belief that in a few years AdStars will stand shoulder to shoulder with world-class advertising festivals. We will do our best to make this festival an event recognized throughout the world. The international success of AdStars differentiates it from other Asian advertising festivals, heavily focused on the Asian region. Compared to the 2,757 works (22 countries) of Ad Fest (Thailand) and the 3,058 works (22 countries) of Spikes Asia (Singapore), this number – 7,130 works from 46 countries – shows that AdStars is not just the largest advertising festival in Asia, but the one earning the most worldwide attention.”
The final round of AdStars 2011 will be held at the Busan Haewoondae Grand Hotel from August 25th to 27th. This year in conjunction with the final round, various seminars and film screening sessions will be held under the theme “the Future of Advertising” to present the hottest trends and future of advertising. Celebrities representing domestic and overseas advertising industries and creative directors are invited to the seminars, which will provide a valuable opportunity to advertising professionals and the general public who are interested in advertising. AdStars2011 is now accepting applications from those who want to attend the final events. Inquires about the event are pouring in from aspiring and practicing advertising professionals in Korea and abroad. Those who sign up before July 31 for the final events will benefit from an early bird registration discount.