creative director
Spotify

Oriel Davis-Lyons used to be a chef. But, after getting tired of the long hours and intense pressure he decided to get into advertising. He started his career in New Zealand at Colenso BBDO and in 2015 made the move to New York where he worked at R/GA and Droga5 before joining Spotify.  He has won over 100 awards across every major show and his work often uses a non-traditional approach to highlight social issues, like creating a partnership between Amnesty International and AdBlock to protest online censorship or a campaign to put graphic warning labels on boxes of ammunition. He is also the founder of ONE School, a free, online portfolio program for Black creatives and an attempt to address systemic barriers to entry in the advertising industry. He lives in Brooklyn with his family in an apartment that gets smaller every day.

Why I am judging the awards... "I'm excited to judge the awards because it takes into account not just the work we make as an industry, but also how it's made. It rewards the agencies that invest in their culture as much as their output. And this year, the "how" is even more important because it provides answers to questions we're all asking. How have you adapted to the new normal? How did you take care of your people through everything? These awards are a great opportunity to highlight what best practice could look like going forward."

Judging panel

Jean Paul Burge

chairman and chief executive officer
BBDO Asia

Kenny Powar

co-founder & chief executive officer
Rebel Owl

rowena bhagchandani

chief executive officer & co-founder
BLKJ

Pip Hulbert

chief executive officer
Wunderman Thompson

Nicky Bullard Chair of the judges

chairwoman & chief creative officer
MRM

Tobias Wilson

vice president of growth
Media Monks

derek walker

owner
Brown and Browner

Pat Law

founder
GOODSTUPH

Jackie Stevenson

Founding partner & CEO
The Brooklyn Brothers

Nancy Hill

founder
Media Sherpas

Deadra Rahaman

founder & lead consultant
Society Redefined Consulting

Oriel Davis-Lyons

creative director
Spotify

patou nuytemans

chief executive, MENA
Ogilvy

Olivia Clarkson

managing director
Wildfire

Christopher Kenna

chief executive officer & founder
Brand Advance

Kate Rowlinson

chief executive officer
MediaCom UK

Gellan Watt

creative director, global brand & growth strategy
Gellan Watt & Associates

Shanice Mears

co-founder & head of talent
The Elephant Room

Aaron Kwittken

founder & chief executive officer
KWT Global

Ian Armstrong

director
Topaz One

Frances Webster

chief executive officer
Walrus

Esther *ET* Franklin

president, global strategy
Spark Foundry

Dino Myers-Lamptey

founder
The Barber Shop

Jill Byrne

head of marketing
Rothco, part of Accenture Interactive

Asad Dhunna

founder
The Unmistakables

Katie Lee

chief executive officer
Lucky Generals

rumble romagnoli

founder & chief executive officer
Relevance

Dion McKenzie

chairman
Colorintech

margaret Johnson

group chief executive officer
Leagas Delaney

Rabeth Khan

chief executive officer
MACOMM/Dentsu