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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
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 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
Yeon Yoon
Art Director, Amazon
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 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.
Russia
Pavel Kozlov
Founder, Designer, Writer, Peopleofdesign
Pavel Kozlov, based in Russia, is the founder of Peopleofdesign and co-founder of Radugadesign, specializing in graphic, web, UI, and fashion design. As a co-founder with expertise in graphic, web, UI, and fashion design, Kozlov has a rich background in developing graphic designs specifically for restaurants and UI/web designs for banking systems. His experience extends to working with both retail and production companies, showcasing his versatility in the design field. Kozlov's exceptional designs have been recognized and exhibited at The Central House of Artists in Moscow, highlighting his significant contributions. Kozlov's tenacity is evident in his persistent pursuit of innovative design solutions across various sectors, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity. His unwavering dedication to his craft is reflected in the diverse range of successful projects he has spearheaded, from graphic design to fashion. Kozlov's resilience in overcoming challenges and adapting to the ever-evolving design landscape showcases his robust commitment to excellence.
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.
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.
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
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, Amazon
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.
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.
Portugal
Liliana Farinha
COO, WYcreative
In the realm of digital marketing, Liliana Farinha stands as the Chief Operating Officer at WYcreative, backed by a decade of experience. As the Chief Operating Officer, Farinha's responsibilities encompass overseeing social media and web advertising initiatives, as well as managing complex website projects from specifications to implementation, among other communication assignments. Her portfolio features clients including NOVO BANCO, REN, Minipreço, Pestana Group, FOX International Channels, The Navigator Company, Casa da Música, Honda, MSD, Zippy, NOWO, BFA, LACS, L'Oréal, Sogrape Vinhos, Bayer, and more. Her role is characterized by an unparalleled commitment to the digital sphere, a deep-seated passion for project management, and a unique talent for orchestrating teams. This combination of dedication and her innate ability to guide projects and lead teams stands as a powerful force behind the organization's achievements. Her determination is a driving ethos that fuels her quest for excellence.
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.