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NY Digital Awards Panel

Welcome to the Official Profiles of the NY Digital Awards Grand Jury Panel

The NY Digital Awards has assembled a jury panel of high caliber, bringing together an elite group of digital innovators and visionaries who have made remarkable contributions to their respective fields. Their expertise enables them to impart their insights into the evaluation process, recognizing only the best.

With deepest gratitude and respect, the award sincerely welcomes the Jury Panel for their invaluable commitment. Their dedication to sharing their knowledge and experience is fundamental to the integrity and success of the competition.

United States

Jarvis Grant

Creative Strategist and Imaging Specialist, Jarvis Grant Imaging

Jarvis Grant is a creative strategist, imaging specialist for Jarvis Grant Imaging which he solely manages and he is also a digital media instructor.

With more than 25 years of experience across various domains, including arts education, commercial photography, journalism, digital multimedia, and fine art, Grant has established himself as a recognized industry expert. He excels in crafting comprehensive solutions that integrate his extensive skillset. His professional journey is marked by his adept management of innovative models, consistently exceeding client expectations, expert project management, and collaborative application design sessions.

Grant is a dedicated advocate for ensuring that every team member's perspective is valued and considered during the design phase. He passionately champions the voices of both thought leaders and implementers throughout the entire process. Creates engaging content that harnesses the potential of creating dynamic digital media, ensuring that all stakeholders can derive value from it.

United States

Lola Yiting Zhang

concept artist, Sony Interactive Entertainment

Lola Yiting Zhang is a recognized concept artist at Sucker Punch Productions, Sony Interactive Entertainment. Her essential role in creating art for top-tier game titles, such as "Halo: Infinite," among other AAA projects, highlights her contributions to the industry. Her collaborations with industry leaders like Sony, Microsoft, and Netease have been pivotal in crafting engaging and imaginative game concepts.
Lola's contributions have not only earned her numerous awards but have also established her as an expert judge at the Concept Art Awards and GLOBAL GAME ART CONTEST (GGAC) . Her work has gained prominence in major publications like Kotaku, ImagineFX and Halo Encyclopedia.
Dedicated to sharing her expertise, Lola imparts her in-depth knowledge through speaking engagements at premier industry events, including Lightbox Expo 2023, and by conducting workshops for renowned game companies in North America.

United States

Linara Bozieva

Advisory Board Member, Enqo Corp

Linara Bozieva is a results-driven professional with extensive experience in global business strategy, program management, and business analytics. She has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and operational efficiency by successfully launching new programs and products and implementing impactful changes. Linara excels in leading cross-functional teams, building relationships with external partners, and identifying opportunities for business expansion.

Her passion lies in solving global challenges to enhance happiness and health, ensure safety, and protect vulnerable people, animals, and nature. Linara is committed to making a difference in the world through launching innovative products, connecting people, and fostering collaborations that transcend project boundaries and predefined roles.

United States

Uday Padyana

Manager Analytics, FAANG Company

Uday is a data professional currently managing a team at Amazon. Previously, he led analytics teams at PayPal and Capital One Digital. With an engineering background and an M.S. from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Uday has also worked in technical capacities at VMware and Robert Bosch and has ventured into startups. He is passionate about mentoring students and early career professionals, as well as volunteering and engaging in startup activities.

Pakistan

Fizza Shah

Executive Creative Director, Grey Pakistan

Fizza Shah holds the position of Executive Creative Director at Grey Pakistan.
Shah is celebrated for her extraordinary capacity to introduce novel and unconventional concepts, and she has masterminded inventive marketing approaches for numerous distinguished Pakistani brands, such as Tapal, National Foods, Continental Biscuits, and Dalda Foods, to name a few.
She is also known for her tireless work ethic. She personally oversees the creative development for leading brands, ensuring that each project receives her undivided attention and expertise. Her dedication to excellence and hands-on approach have been instrumental in driving the success of these brands.

United States

Michael Russo

Cheif Creative Officer, RUSSO Branding Agency

Michael Russo has over 20 years of creative experience with a vast array of clients from coast to coast. As an award-winning Art Director, Copywriter and Designer, Michael has been recognized by the American Advertising Federation, the Silver Microphone Awards, the AIGA, the PIAS, the W3 Interactive Awards, the Horizon Interactive Awards, the Pelican Awards and is a Silver TELLY winner. In addition, Michael is a member of the American Advertising Federation, the AIGA, a past voting member of the Recording Academy of Arts and Sciences (Grammy) and a Silver Council member and Judge of the International TELLY Awards. After receiving his BFA from the University of Louisiana, Michael worked as a Graphic Designer and Copywriter in Seattle, WA. In 2001, after returning to his hometown of Lafayette, LA, Michael co-founded RUSSO - is a strategic branding agency with offices in Lafayette, New Orleans and Nashville. RUSSO uses consumer insight to develop branding initiatives that effectively change the conversation - forming emotional connections between the consumer and the brand.

Poland

Alex Brodsky

CEO, Playsense

Alex Brodsky is a senior marketing executive with over a decade of senior management experience. He previously ran Wargaming's in-house agency, one of the largest in-house agencies in the video game industry.

Alex is now the CEO of Playsense, a global creative agency for video games, with clients including Riot Games, Ubisoft, Wargaming, Krafton, and Tencent. He has managed cross-cultural teams of approximately 200 people across Europe and APAC, overseeing 7-figure budgets. His teams have worked with major game titles, Hollywood and music icons, and have won numerous prestigious industry awards.

He led the business through challenging times such as the pandemic, revolution, and war, although he wishes these hardships had never occurred. Despite these challenges, Alex and his partners started a new company when the world was in turmoil, achieving this feat in less than two months, demonstrating an expert level of difficulty.

Currently, Alex's focus is on Playsense, which he co-founded and where he serves as CEO. Playsense is an award-winning creative agency for video games.

India

Kiran Kumar C K

Senior Visual Designer, NetBramha (Global UI/UX Design Company)

Kiran C K is a dedicated Designer entrusted with the task of addressing challenges and crafting aesthetically pleasing products and services for some of the world's most renowned brands.

In his role as a designer, he formulates concepts and strategies for intricate interactive projects. He is fervent about discovering optimal tools for translating content-driven visuals, visually captivating designs, intricate nuances, and adhering to brand guidelines, all while introducing innovative interfaces across diverse touchpoints.

Furthermore, he actively collaborates with clients, fostering strong partnerships to deliver strategic and emotionally compelling creative solutions that effectively meet business objectives. C K's dedication to his role as a Designer is unwavering, as he consistently strives to tackle complex challenges and produce exceptional design solutions. He approaches each project with a passionate commitment to crafting visually appealing and innovative designs that align with brand guidelines and resonate with audiences across various platforms.

Hong Kong SAR

Edward Cheung

Creative Director, Dentsu Creative

Edward Cheung is a quadrilingual creative who grew up in Hong Kong, spent a working holiday in Australia, advanced in the Japanese language (JLPT N1), and developed his career in Shanghai, China. With over ten years of experience in the advertising field, Edward has developed a strong portfolio of creative works for brands such as Shell, Oreo, Reebok, Unilever, Lancôme, Land Rover, and Perrier.

Edward joined Dentsu Creative, one of the largest and most innovative agency networks in the world in 2020. In this role, he served as a creative lead for brands like Sangokushi Strategic Version (Ali Games), Alibaba Group, American Express, Dicos, and, most importantly, Shell across various media platforms and channels.

More than a seasoned advertising creative at agencies, before joining Dentsu, Edward was a creative lead at Oliver, a UK in-house agency network. He gained himself a unique experience to work closely in the client’s team as an in-house creative solely for Reebok GC and APAC before transferring to the team for Unilever.

United States

Echo Chernik

Advertising Illustrator, Echo-X, LLC

Echo Chernik has over twenty years of experience as a professional commercial illustrator in the advertising field. She is best known for her art nouveau and decorative styles. Clients include: Celestial Seasonings Teas, Miller, Camel, Coors, USPS, Nascar, Trek, Publix, Disney, Random House, Penguin, DeKuyper and many more. On the book publishing side, she is equally known for her work in the rpg industry, especially for the rpg Shadowrun. She currently resides in Seattle, WA. www.echo-x.com

Egypt

Ahmed Alsagheer

Motion Designer/Art Director, Asharq Business with Bloomberg

Ahmed Alsagheer is a seasoned senior motion designer and Art Director with over a decade of experience, showcasing a remarkable blend of skills and creativity. His portfolio boasts exceptional work delivered to prestigious clients such as The EU, FIFA, Bloomberg, McDonald's, Dubai Government, and many more. Ahmed's expertise in motion design has left an indelible mark on various projects across different industries.

With a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovation, Ahmed has consistently pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling through his work. His ability to conceptualize and execute captivating designs has earned him recognition as a leading professional in the field.

Having worked with renowned organizations on high-profile projects, Ahmed brings a wealth of experience and expertise to every endeavor he undertakes. His dedication to delivering top-notch quality while meeting client expectations sets him apart as a reliable and sought-after creative professional.

Ahmed's creative vision is not only reflected in his impressive client list but also in the impact his work has had on audiences worldwide. His designs have resonated with viewers, effectively conveying messages and narratives in engaging ways.

United States

Harshit Jain MD

Founder & Global CEO, Doceree, Doceree Inc

Harshit Jain MD, the visionary behind Doceree, the world's pioneering physician-exclusive network of programmatic marketing platforms, is actively committed to reducing global healthcare costs. In just three and a half years since Doceree's inception, Harshit has successfully reached over 18 million healthcare professionals (HCPs) worldwide, expanding operations to more than 20 countries with a team of over 160 professionals. The remarkable achievements include accolades such as NJBiz Great Place to Work 2023, PM360 Trailblazer award in POC category, Digiday Most Innovative Technology Platform 2023, and MMM Best Places to Work 2022 for Doceree. Before launching Doceree, Dr. Jain spent seven years with the renowned global advertising agency McCann, holding diverse roles such as country head, marketing director, and innovation lead across Asia, Europe, and America. Leveraging advertising media effectively, Harshit creatively addressed major health challenges like Immunization, Vitamin D deficiency, and Diabetes using innovative data approaches. In an era where digital adoption was met with skepticism among life sciences marketers and HCPs, Harshit Jain MD courageously reshaped the landscape by blending data science and technological advancements. Over his 15-year career, Jain consistently developed people-centric marketing solutions aimed at elevating patient treatment standards globally, emphasizing social upliftment. A trailblazer in the field, Harshit Jain doesn't view marketing solely through a profit-centric lens. He seeks to encourage social change and upliftment. Using the digital realm, he has paved the way for future pharmaceutical marketers in the global healthcare industry. As an advocate for knowledge-sharing, Harshit Jain explored the point-of-care virtual landscape with his book, 'The Next Marketing – To Healthcare Professionals,' and launched the industry-first talk show, 'The Next Marketing With HJ, Season 1,' inviting experts to decode new-age marketing strategies. Beyond knowledge-sharing, Harshit Jain MD creatively enhances patient education through groundbreaking healthcare campaigns like Immunity Charm, the highly awarded campaign in healthcare advertising history. He orchestrated India's first 24-hour blood donation drive, partnered to create the first bone marrow donor registry in India, published the inaugural textbook on liposuction, and conceptualized the world's first virtual world for the nutrition community – Nutritionists Republic. Many of his initiatives focus on rural and remote areas, addressing the challenge of providing quality patient treatment in those regions.

Brazil

Felipe Paganoti

Senior Art Director, AlmapBBDO

Felipe Paganoti, art director from Rio with over 10 years of experience. He worked at Mullen Lowe, Artplan, Havas, BBDO Guatemala, VMLY & R and is currently at AmapBBDO in São Paulo.

He plays a pivotal role in shaping the artistic direction and vision of the projects undertaken. His keen eye for design, innovative thinking, and ability to inspire the creative team contribute to the studio's ability to deliver captivating solutions for clients across a wide range of industries. He was vice-president of the Rio de Janeiro Creation Club and won several international awards.

He is committed to pushing the boundaries of creativity, infusing each project with a distinct and captivating visual identity. He has an unceasing love for creative projects and an unwavering desire to embark on inventive and daring endeavors. Paganoti’s enthusiasm for crafting drives him to continuously explore imaginative and unconventional ideas, infusing his artistic pursuits with a spirit of innovation.

Hong Kong SAR

Dr. Ken Ip

Chairman, Asia MarTech Society

Dr. Ken Ip serves as the chairman of the Asia MarTech Society and holds advisory roles in numerous professional organizations, including two universities. He is an award-winning brand strategist, associate professor, columnist, and expert commentator specializing in Tech, Web3, Branding, and e-Commerce.

Ip has occupied diverse high-ranking roles within prominent multinational corporations and conglomerates, spanning from corporate consulting to providing advisory services in public affairs. Additionally, he serves as a strategic advisor for a Web3-focused venture capital firm with assets totaling USD 75 million.

He stands as a luminary in his industry, showcasing a wealth of accomplishments and contributions. His extensive experience in senior positions within leading multinationals and conglomerates reflects his profound impact on corporate consulting and public affairs advisory. Furthermore, as a chairman and a key figure on advisory boards for esteemed universities, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of marketing technology and education.

United States

Scott Berry

President, MarketCrest, LLC

Scott Berry has more than a decade of experience as a Senior Executive/Officer in billion-dollar Print Marketing and Direct Mail companies.

He is also the President of a full-service digital marketing agency, MarketCrest, LLC. His perspective comes from a strong return on investment (ROI) culture which has translated to enormous success for clients. As President of MarketCrest, he constantly evaluates the agency’s work to ensure it’s ready for clients and represents best-in-class deliverables. His team has won both national and international marketing awards including a Vega, NYX, NY Digital, TITAN, NYX and MUSE.

Scott admires creative people and enjoys recognizing exceptional marketing efforts and results. He is a bit of an adrenaline junkie having traveled the globe, jumped from planes, and scuba-dived in countless countries (he is a professional Divemaster and Assistant Instructor).

Malaysia

Jae Leong

Judging Committee Chairperson, International Awards Associate (IAA)

Jae Leong is the accomplished chairperson of IAA’s extensive judging committee.

As the chairperson, Leong assumes a leadership role, guiding the organization and spearheading initiatives to uphold quality and creative excellence in critical areas such as design, creative advertising, marketing communications, video production, and business. Additionally, she serves as a key award representative at IAA, consistently demonstrating success in overseeing assessments throughout her career.

She prioritizes the coordination of strategic arrangements among various jury panels, establishing herself as a standout figure in the industry. Demonstrating a keen sense of management, Leong has executed her role with precision, ensuring that each participant receives fair evaluations and unbiased assessments, underscoring the significance of integrity in maintaining the credibility of the judging outcomes. Furthermore, her collaboration with professionals globally has positioned her at the forefront of specialization, enabling the development of exceptional communication and relationship management skills.

United States

Xiaobi Pan

Lead Designer, Amazon

Xiaobi (Iris) Pan is a globally-recognized pioneer in the field of Emerging Technology Design. She has been the inventor of the sound interactive Installation visited by over 1 million participants, the app that promises to plant 100 million trees on our planet by 2025, and a series of industry-leading new technology products and experiences. Currently a Lead Designer at Amazon, she is dedicated to using technologies such as Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize the consumer experience for both business and social good.

United States

Vijay Yadav

Chief Technology Officer, Brooklyn Health

Vijay Yadav is the Chief Technology Officer at Brooklyn Health. Overall, he possesses 9+ years of professional experience in Data Science and Analytics in the mental health and psychiatry domain. He is also awarded as an Adjunct Professor at University of South Wales Australia. Yadav research focus has primarily been on the development of digital biomarkers and the application of machine learning models in diagnosing and predicting the severity of mental health behavior and associated cognitive symptoms in clinical populations.

Through the analysis of digital data generated by patients, he specializes in identifying quantifiable indicators of their health status. His research involves examining cognitive patterns and psychological data in the field of digital health, contributing significantly to the understanding of trauma, stress and other cognitive disorders. He has published over 15 research papers in peer-review journals on all the research work he has conducted over the years.

Germany

Diane Schulz

General Manager, Serviceplan Group

Diane Schulz boasts a 24-year advertising career and currently holds the position of General Manager at Serviceplan Group.

As a General Manager in the digital agency, she is at the helm of a dynamic team, guiding them through the ever-evolving landscape of the digital world. Her responsibilities extend to developing and executing digital strategies that drive online presence and engagement for clients. She ensures seamless project management, fosters innovation, and maintains a sharp focus on achieving results in the digital realm.

Schulz excels not only in her expertise but also in her ability to inspire and engage her team with infectious enthusiasm. Her reputation for clarity, dependability, and a sharp analytical acumen makes her an invaluable asset in steering her team's efforts towards shared goals, and her approach to teamwork is a perfect blend of fairness and good-natured camaraderie, creating an environment where collaboration thrives and collective achievements are celebrated.

Russia

Pavel Kozlov

Founder, Designer and Writer, Peopleofdesign

Pavel Kozlov is a multidisciplinary designer. He is the founder of Peopleofdesign and the co-founder of Radugadesign.

As a designer generalist with expertise in graphic and digital design, Pavel brings extensive experience in creating graphic designs for restaurants and UI/web designs for banking systems. His versatile design skills have also been applied in projects for both retail and production companies, demonstrating his adaptability across various industries. Pavel's outstanding work has been recognized and exhibited at The Central House of Artists in Moscow, underscoring his notable contributions to the field.

Pavel's relentless pursuit of innovative design solutions is a testament to his creativity and dedication. He consistently pushes the boundaries across multiple sectors, from graphic design to fashion, delivering a diverse array of successful projects. His resilience and ability to adapt to the ever-changing design landscape highlight his unwavering commitment to excellence.

United Arab Emirates

Robert Mitchell

Managing Partner, Driving Growth

In 2016, Robert Mitchell launched Driving Growth, his own agency based in Dubai, emphasizing integrated digital services, live events, and public relations.

Before establishing his agency, Mitchell honed his skills as a photographer and then transitioned into creative management roles at international agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi, JWT, Springer & Jacoby, and Scholz & Friends. During this period, he contributed to the development and management of worldwide brands like BMW, Jeep, Volkswagen, and Samsung.

In 1999, he became part of Foote Cone Belding, focusing on the Asian market. He departed the network after an eight-year tenure, last serving as the Worldwide Creative Director. In 2007, he took on the challenge of establishing and leading a boutique agency owned by Dubai, which operated across the Middle East. His passion for blending artistic vision with marketing savvy has propelled him throughout his career, driving him to innovate in the digital and creative space.

South Korea

Yeon Yoon

General Manager in Marketing, Humedix

Yeon Yoon, based in Los Angeles, is a creative professional working as an Art Director at Amazon, where he leads a variety of global campaigns and marketing projects.

His career started at Elephant, a fast-expanding digital agency, where he worked as an Art Director on projects for clients like Apple, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, and Comcast. Afterward, he relocated to Los Angeles to join Grey West, contributing to campaigns for Amazon, AWS, and Hasbro. Subsequently, Yoon took up a role at Snap Inc., where he concentrated on incorporating Augmented Reality into branding and marketing strategies.

While studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York, he stood out as a highly awarded student, garnering numerous accolades. His dedication to his craft is exemplified by his progressive career trajectory, moving from roles in dynamic agencies to leading significant projects at Amazon, all driven by his commitment to excellence in art direction and design.

United States

Kushal Birari

Creative, Mother New York

Kushal Birari is a creative at Mother, one of the world’s most respected, independent creative companies.

Having worked in five prominent cities across three continents, he has made a significant impact through his art direction and design. He has left an indelible mark on numerous international brands, including OREO, MINI Cooper, Make in India, FIFA, Bosch, Instagram, and more. His recent noteworthy contribution to the OREO Pride campaign has garnered widespread attention, resonating with diverse communities globally and earning recognition through various national and international accolades. Birari excels in creative direction, advertising, ideas development, art direction, and creative strategy, showcasing a comprehensive skill set in the realm of visual communication and strategic brand development.

His proficiency in his role is evident through the impactful influence he has wielded on major international brands, demonstrating a keen understanding of art direction and design and His ability to resonate with diverse audiences.

United States

Mark Goldstein

Co-Founder and Creative Director, Zero Studios

Mark Goldstein spearheads Zero Studios as its co-founder and creative director.

Goldstein’s deep-seated expertise is further exemplified by his dynamic leadership and mentorship that have been instrumental in crafting innovative and award-winning projects. His collaborative spirit has enabled him to forge successful partnerships, affirming his status as a vanguard in the creative industry.

He is skilled in his craft, consistently pushing boundaries to produce top-tier creative work. His aim is to blend professional excellence with joy, ensuring that his passion for his work is as much about enjoyment as it is about achievement. His creative leadership not only shapes the visual and strategic narratives for leading brands but also sets a benchmark in the creative industry, inspiring a culture of excellence and innovation that resonates throughout society. This philosophy of infusing fun into his creative process makes him a standout in his field and inspires an innovative environment around him.

United Kingdom

Anthony Jones

Creative Director, The Drawing Room Creative

Anthony Jones holds the role of Creative Director at The Drawing Room Creative, a company renowned for providing highly influential creative solutions in the United Kingdom.

In his capacity as the creative head of diverse and proficient creative and development teams, this role entails responsibilities such as team and line management, operational oversight, creative direction, strategic planning, art direction, and process management. He remains actively engaged in the creative process when necessary. Throughout his career, he and his teams have garnered accolades for their exceptional work, collaborating with globally renowned brands like ghd, BP, EA Games, DHL, Financial Times, Michelin, Nissan, Barclaycard, CITI Financial Europe, Shell, Crown Paints, Virgin, and LG.

Jones is dedicated to delivering high-quality and effective creative solutions for business challenges. His approach combines diverse perspectives, expert craftsmanship, and insight-driven strategy.

China

Michael Wong

Film Director, Creative Director and Producer, Michael Wong Films

Michael Wong is as an independent film director, creative director and producer.

With a record of over 50 creative awards in over a decade, Wong transitioned to film as a writer/director, making a splash with his directorial debut for Lenovo, a campaign reaching audiences from India to South East Asia, and several regions in between. His advertising career includes stints as art director, creative director, and executive creative director at top agencies like Ogilvy, BBDO, TBWA, Grey, and Saatchi & Saatchi. He has since been crafting compelling narratives for brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Xiaomi, enhancing their appeal to consumers globally. His first foray into directing, the short film 'The Story of 90 Coins', has garnered over 70 honors from film festivals around the world.

He is a collaborative visionary skilled in transforming concepts into ideas, consistently focused on ensuring the work's appearance and essence remain innovative and engaging.

United States

Shangning Wang

Design Project Specialist at UNDP, United Nations Children's Fund

Shangning Wang is a New York-based award-winning graphic designer, illustrator, and all-around creative. He focuses on commercial art, typography, illustration, branding, and poster art.

In the past few years, he also received more than twenty global awards for his work. His works were exhibited in many cities around the world. His design works have been published in many design magazines and featured on more than thirty graphic design blogs. His work has currently been featured by the Adobe InDesign 2020 as the Splash Screen.

Wang's passion for design is unwavering, driving him to continuously push creative boundaries and explore new artistic horizons. His dedication to the craft is evident in the more than twenty global awards he has earned, showcasing his commitment to excellence. With a firm belief that good design has the power to make a positive impact on the world, he infuses his work with boundless enthusiasm, dreams, and love.

China

Hao Shan

Founder, Cre+ Design

Hao Shan, the founder of Creplus Design Studio, established the studio in 2009. He currently holds the position of Director in the Department of Visual Communication at the School of Art, Design & Media within East China University of Science and Technology.

With a background in both Eastern and Western design education, extensive experience in design and management roles within leading French international design firms, and a wealth of hands-on involvement in international brand design projects, including L'Oréal, Garnier, Nike, SFR, Dassault, Renault, Citroën, Club Med, Nestlé, PMU, Disney, Bank of Communication, and more, Hao Shan's designs have garnered numerous international accolades.

Shan's reputation in the design art industry is a testament to his dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence. His extensive experience, creative vision, and contributions to international brand design projects have not only earned him recognition but have also left an indelible mark on the field.