Which industry members will be judges at The Wires this year? Find out the second wave of names revealed below…

Last week, we revealed eight of the many industry members who will be judging ExchangeWire’s prestigious The Wires awards this year. The November ceremony will mark our ninth year celebrating the very best of the digital media, marketing and commerce industries.

Individuals already revealed to judge entrants’ submissions this year include:

• Roy Lan, Regional Head, Brand Partners, Adidas
• Elsa Demain-Griffiths, Director, Digital Sales & Innovation, The Telegraph
• Stéphane Gillet, Head of Programmatic & AdOps Europe, Trainline
• Shereen Chand, Director of Marketing Operations & Technology, Verticurl
• Valerie Puah, Brand Strategist, Moomoo SG
• Charlie Celino, Strategic Development Director, News UK
• Joseph Cinko, Head of AV, Bountiful Cow
• Ahsanur Rahman, SVP Head of Media & Digital Marketing, bKash Limited
  

Today, we announce the second wave of judges, again spanning all areas of the ad tech industry and different corners of the globe. They told us what they are most looking forward to about being a judge and what it means to them, as well as explaining what entrants need to do if they want to leave The Wires 2025 with a first-place prize. To be in for a chance of winning, you can enter here.

Nicola Teague, Planning Partner, the7stars

UK 

I’m really looking forward to being a judge for The Wires Awards this year. It's a great opportunity to see and celebrate the innovative work coming from the industry, as well as the exciting advancements in the world of AI and data. 

For me, winning entries must demonstrate excellent use of audience insights and data, combined with originality and best in class strategic thought. This should lead to measurable outcomes that align with the client’s objectives. But most importantly, I’ll be looking for innovation and a unique approach to dealing with the opportunities and challenges that clients face today. It’s a privilege to be a Wires judge this year, I can’t wait to help recognise the incredible talent this industry has to offer!

Filiz Sen, Marketing Manager, EMEA, Global Retail Apparel and Fashion Brand

EMEA 

I'm very excited to be a judge at the Wires Awards this year. It’s always so inspiring to see campaigns that go beyond checking the boxes and truly connect with people in a meaningful way. For me, a winning campaign blends creativity, storytelling, and cultural relevance – creating an authentic connection and leaving a lasting impact. I can’t wait to see all the amazing work and celebrate the brands and teams pushing the industry forward!

Kushtrim Jeta, Head of Digital Operations, Hearts & Science

UK

Our industry is constantly evolving, and staying at the forefront of new strategies, technologies, and creative approaches is an ever-evolving challenge. Judging allows me to see how creative minds have made challenges into opportunities. Reading these awards entries means we can discover and celebrate the incredible talent shaping the industry. Ultimately, I look forward to being a judge because it allows me to give back to a field that has given me so much. The judging process is not just about awarding excellence, it’s about uncovering insights, setting new benchmarks, and contributing to the ongoing conversation about where the industry is headed. 

A winning campaign needs to show elements of uniqueness matched with a compelling story. To unfold the layers of how insights fuelled strategy and execution, and how the impacts of that campaign or product had the spark to deliver brilliance. Whether it's driving conversions or changing consumer behaviour, having a campaign or product that resonates with the consumer, amongst the noise out there, is important. Everyone likes to hear a good story. 

Anshul Dashore, Former Brand Head, The Kraft Heinz Company 

APAC 

I am excited about the opportunity to be a judge at The Wires 2025 because it aligns perfectly with my passion for brand building and my decade-long experience in marketing. Being part of this process allows me to engage with some of the most innovative and high-impact marketing campaigns, providing a front-row seat to emerging trends, creative excellence, and strategic thinking in the industry. Beyond that, I see this as a chance to contribute to the marketing community by recognising and celebrating work that pushes the boundaries of effectiveness and creativity. 

I am particularly eager to evaluate how brands are leveraging data, storytelling, and digital transformation to drive meaningful consumer engagement. Lastly, I believe judging these awards is not just about assessing campaigns, but also about learning from them. Most importantly, it’s a chance to celebrate the work that truly moves the industry forward and recognise the teams behind these groundbreaking campaigns. 

Kathryn Bean, Head of Media, Wake The Bear 

UK 

Given the vast and varied array of categories, being a judge for The Wires is a great way to digest all the latest ad tech and digital media innovations. I’m looking forward to working with judges from different disciplines to see what components make up a successful campaign from their perspective. 

A winning entry should provide real context to why the results were good, and an understanding of the reasons the reported metrics were deemed successful for that particular campaign/product rather than just headline performance metrics. 

We often move onto the next things at such a pace that it's hard to reflect on some of the industry developments, so it’s a great opportunity to pause and take note to celebrate innovation and development in the industry. 

Ionut Danifeld, Chief Marketing Officer, TRAPO

APAC 

Being a judge for The Wires will give me the opportunity to find extraordinary campaigns that stand out from the crowd.

It's also a great honour to be able to see the latest trends in campaigns. Furthermore, it's a great honour to participate in this judging opportunity with other great leaders in the industry.