Press: Golden Drum announces the jury presidents and jury members
PRESS RELEASE
GOLDEN DRUM FESTIVAL
18 APRIL 2025
Golden Drum announces the jury presidents and jury members
The Golden Drum is thrilled to announce the Juries for the 2025 edition. We are proud to present the 6 presidents who will lead the Golden Drum juries, alongside over 50 jury members representing 27 countries worldwide.
One-Channel Drum Jury President Calvin Innes, General Manager and Creative Director of JvM NERD, brings over two decades of expertise in concept design, creative direction, and brand storytelling. He is an absolute powerhouse in the creative world, especially when it comes to blending brands with the excitement of gaming, anime, and everything nerdy. His experience spans across some of the biggest names out there, from Super Mario to Fortnite. He has also collaborated with globally recognised brands such as Bandai Namco, Kellogg’s, Sony, National Trust, Cadbury’s, Universal Studios, and Nestlé.
"Great creativity isn’t about how many tools you have. It’s about how you use the tools at your disposal. The One-Channel category at the Golden Drum Awards is a testament to the power of disciplined storytelling and precision. It’s about creating truly eye-catching, attention grabbing and emotive pieces of work that capture imaginations. It’s about making a single platform sing, ensuring that every frame, every word, and every interaction is crafted and shaped for maximum impact. As Jury President, I’m eager to uncover work that redefines the potential of individual channels. I’m excited about the prospect of discovering work which proves that when executed with brilliance, a single medium can cut through the noise and leave a lasting mark."
The Omni-Channel Drum Jury President John Mescall, Global Creative Chair, by The Network, USA, recognized as one of AdWeek's Creativity 50 and ranked 8th by Business Insider among the globe's top creative talents in advertising, John's impact is profound. Under his visionary guidance, McCann Worldgroup achieved the prestigious distinction of being named both Cannes and Effies Network of the Year. His portfolio boasts iconic campaigns like Fearless Girl, Dumb Ways to Die, and ThisAbles. His remarkable career is further highlighted by his impressive achievement of winning over 100 Cannes Lions.
“The more complex things become, the more important it is for us to simplify things even further.
We need to free our minds to look at a problem, and simply follow that problem to wherever it chooses to take us. No rules. No preconceived notions of what works, and what doesn't.
Every brief is the opportunity to make a new path. And because we have so many tools, approaches, and media choices available to us, we really are free to do whatever the hell we think is right. Provided, of course, it’s in service of solving the problem. That’s why I’m so excited to be President of the Omni-Channel jury this year. I know that together with my fellow jury members, we’re going to see problems solved with ideas and approaches we didn’t see coming. And have maybe never seen before. And having been lucky enough to judge Golden Drum in the past, I know we’re going to see ideas that are breathtakingly different to the norm. Ideas that come from unique places, unique attitudes and unique cultures. Ideas that are expressions of pure, uninhibited creativity. I hope you all enter your very best. Because your very best is going to make for a beautiful, wild ride for our jury.”
The Craft Drum Jury President Julia Neumann, Chief Creative Officer and Partner, Le Truc, USA is a trailblazer in advertising, shaping the future for global brands. Prior to Le Truc, Julia held pivotal roles at renewed agencies including Johannes Leonardo, TBWA/Chiat Day, Saatchi & Saatchi, Wieden+Kennedy, BBH, MullenLowe, and Y&R. She has collaborated with top-tier clients such as Kraft Heinz, Instagram, Uber, and Volkswagen, delivering ground-breaking campaigns like Unfrosted (Kellanova Pop-Tarts), Billie Jean King Your Shoes (Adidas), FlyBabies (JetBlue), and Major Melon (MTN Dew). Julia's career is defined by award-winning work and influential campaigns that shape industry culture.
“Craft is the difference between something you forget in five seconds and something that gets under your skin and stays there. In a world drowning in content and shortcuts, craft is the last honest differentiator. It’s what shows the human behind the work, the judgment, the obsessiveness, the restraint and the risk. With AI now in the picture, we know it can replicate patterns, but it can’t replicate gut. Or taste. Or the chills you get when something is just right. So, I’m excited to lead this year’s Craft Jury at Golden Drum. And celebrate the kind of work that is radical, couldn’t have been phoned in, templated, or done any other way. Work that sweats the small stuff. Work that makes us jealous. Work that reminds us why we got into this business in the first place.”
The Creative Media Excellence Drum Jury President Jo-ann Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Global Markets, Ketchum more than two decades of communications consultancy expertise, following her early career as a political advisor and broadcast journalist. Throughout her professional trajectory, Jo-ann has collaborated with numerous distinguished clients, including Mastercard, The LEGO Foundation, P&G, Samsung, Philips, Nissan, BNFL, and Nestlé. Her exceptional leadership was acknowledged in 2022 with several prestigious accolades: "PR Communicator of the Year" by Women in Marketing, "DE&I Champion" by Management Today, and "PR Leader of the Year 2022" by the International Communications Consultants Organisation.
"People are craving connection like never before. In a world where technology, data, and AI are becoming ever more dominant, the creative touch supported by these new tools has the power to truly move people and create moments with lasting impact. As President of the Creative Media Excellence Jury I am excited to be inspired by the creativity, the diversity, and the impact of the work. Celebrating the craft and the people behind the work is an honour."
The Creative Business Excellence Drum Jury President Anthony Chelvanathan, Global Creative Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Edelman Canada stands as a visionary force driving creative innovation and strategic leadership across Edelman's global creative team. Throughout his career Anthony has amassed an impressive tally of over 500 international awards. Since joining Edelman Canada, Anthony has helped the company make history as the first PR agency in the country to win a Gold Lion at Cannes with IKEA SHT. At the 2024 Cannes Lions, Edelman took home awards for its work on 'Code My Crown' (Dove) and 'The Move to -15' (DP World), which won the agency its first Titanium Lion.
"The true power of our work is measured by the impact it creates in the world. It thrives when human challenges meet bold solutions, where ideas—not budgets or industries—drive creative excellence forward. As President of the Creative Business Excellence jury at Golden Drum 2025, I am honoured to join visionary leaders in recognizing the ideas that push boundaries, merge strategy with innovation, and set new benchmarks for success. I look forward to the conversations that will shape the future of our industry."
Young Drummers Competition Jury President Alexis Champa, Freelance Executive Creative Director has honed her creative career in NYC, working at the likes of R/GA, Mother, KBS, Havas and Virtue Worldwide with iconic brands such as Airbnb, Sour Patch Kids, Ritz, Trident, Samsung, Target and Google Chrome. Currently, Alexis is based in Berlin, where in the past years of her career she’s worked at Granny Berlin and Media.Monks as digital-first company’s executive creative director. She currently works freelance across Europe.
“I am both honoured and humbled by my appointment as the Jury President for the Young Drummers Competition. It’s truly an honour to be part of this event, where we’ll be diving into the amazing work of the next generation of talent in our industry. I can’t wait to see the innovative ideas and artistic expressions that these young creatives will bring to the table. Their unique perspectives are crucial in shaping the future of our craft, and I believe creativity knows no limits. I’m looking forward to evaluating their work, focusing on originality, impact, and work that just gets us excited about the future of our industry. Together, we’ll celebrate and inspire a new wave of talent eager to make their mark. I’m excited to partner with my fellow jurors and engage with all the participants.”
Jury members
joining the presidents is a distinguished team of professionals who will evaluate the most forward-thinking creative work. We are proud to unviel the jury line-up for 2025:
One-Channel Drum Jury members: Robert Bohinec, Creative Director, AV Studio, Slovenia, Kaspars Eglītis, Executive Creative Director, TBWA\Latvia, Latvia, Christian Hellinger, Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer, Wien Nord Serviceplan, Austria, Bartosz Jeglejewski, Creative Director, McCann, Poland, Nina Modebadze, Creative Director, Redberry, Georgia, Jörg Riommi, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer, AIN’T, Italy, Hanna Stenwall, Executive Creative Director, INGO Stockholm, Sweden, Annu Terho, Creative Director, SEK/Part of Grey, Finland, Dorottya Tóth, Creative Director, DDB Budapest, Hungary and Rona Yakobi, Owner and VP Creative, RONA&IDO Advertising agency, Israel.
Omni-Channel Drum Jury members: Fredric Antonsson, Creative Director, Havas, Sweden, Jessica Buch, Head of Strategy, Grey, Germany, Andrea Horváth, Creative Director, Café Communications, Hungary, Aleka Papadia, Executive Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup, Greece, Karpat Polat, Founder and Creative Chairman, KARPAT, Turkey, Annukka Puttonen, Creative Director and Brand Strategist, Think Again, Finland, Ana-Maria Țarălungă, Creative Director, Digitas Romania / Publicis Groupe, Romania, Kristi Veskus, Head of Work in Estonia, Estonia, Jens Petter Wærnes, Chief Creative Officer, VML Copenhagen, Denmark and Stefano Zanoni, Creative Director, LePub, Italy.
Craft Drum Jury members: Nikola Foktová, Creative Director, Publicis Groupe, Czech Republic, Michele Mariani, Executive Creative Director, Armando Testa Group, Italy, Gergana Mincheva, Creative Lead, Next DC, Bulgaria, Grace O’Brien, Creative Director, AKQA Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Nurlan Satarov, Creative Director, Cheil Worldwide, Kazakhstan, Bogdan Teodorescu, Executive Creative Director, VML, Romania, Zeynep Tonguç, Founder and Creative Director, PEP Brand Agency, Turkey and Anselmo Tumpić, Creative Director and Co-Founder, Studio Tumpić/Prenc, Croatia.
Creative Media Excellence Drum Jury members: Patrícia Čertek, Head of Strategy, Zaraguza, Slovak Republic, Mariann Forgács, Co-Founder and Co-President, Be Social, Hungary, Gianna Katopodi, Creative Director, Ogilvy, Greece, Stella Litou, Chief Executive Officer, Pro Plus Slovenia and RTL Croatia, Arthur O’Neill, Worldwide Head of Invention, Mindshare, Maria Tudor, Chief Operating Officer, Publicis Groupe, Central and Eastern Europe, Tolga Üner, Chief Executive Officer, GroupM, Turkey and Małgorzata Węgierek, Chief Executive Officer, Havas Media Network, Poland.
Creative Business Excellence Drum Jury members: Aleš Brichta, Executive Creative Director, Triad Advertising, Czech Republic, Nicola Gotti, Chief Creative Officer and Partner, Bitmama Reply & Reply Ai Studios, Italy, Jenny Elisabeth Kaiser, Independent – former CEO of Åkestam Holst NoA, Sweden, Hloni Mohope, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC, Central and Eastern Europe, Gosia Nierodzińska, Partner Marketing Creative, Netflix, Central and Eastern Europe, André Pedroso, Chief Creative Officer, MullenLowe Delta, Ecuador, Lucia Petrášová, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, O2 Slovakia, Elena Plakhova, Chief Reputation and Marketing Officer, Nova Post Group, Ukraine, Jan Sederlöf, Executive Creative Director, N2 Creative, Finland and Marcin Sosiński, Chief Creative Officer Poland and CEE, Dentsu Creative.
All Juries Drum Jury members: Calvin Innes, General Manager and Creative Director, JvM NERD, UK, John Mescall, Global Creative Chair, by The Network, Julia Neumann, Chief Creative Officer and Partner, Le Truc, USA, Jo-ann Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Global Markets, Ketchum, Anthony Chelvanathan, Global Creative Partner, and Chief Creative Officer, Edelman, Canada, Christian Hellinger, Managing Partner and Chief Creative Officer, Wien Nord Serviceplan, Austria, Jens Petter Wærnes, Chief Creative Officer, VML Copenhagen, Denmark, Zeynep Tonguç, Founder and Creative Director, PEP Brand Agency, Turkey, Arthur O’Neill, Worldwide Head of Invention, Mindshare and Aleš Brichta, Executive Creative Director, Triad Advertising, Czech Republic.
International rankings
The festival’s competition is recognized and included on the WARC Creative Rankings, The Drum World Creative Rankings and AdForum Rankings, further affirming its global impact and prestige.
Golden Drum continues to hold its esteemed place in the 2025 WARC Rankings, standing proudly alongside other prestigious award shows like Cannes Lions, D&AD, The One Show, Clio Awards, LIA, Spikes Asia, Adfest, Eurobest, Dubai Lynx, Loeries, and El Ojo de Iberoamérica. This recognition reaffirms its influence and dedication to celebrating excellence in the industry.
This year's World Creative Ranking has broadened its scope to encompass an even wider array of global creative awards competitions, analyzing 22 international and regional shows. In addition to The Golden Drum Awards, the rankings feature Dubai Lynx, Spikes Asia, Adfest, Clio Awards, Guldagget Sweden Awards, The Drum Awards, D&AD, ADC US, The One Show, Cannes Lions, Danish Creative Circle, and more.
Golden Drum is also featured in the AdForum Business Creative Report, a unique ranking of the world’s most-awarded campaigns by industry sector.
Golden Drum will be held from 13 to 14 October 2025 in Portorož, Slovenia. The competition is open for entries. Super Early Bird Fee runs until 25 April.
Key competition information
Deadline for Entry Submission: 22 August 2025 at 23.59 CET
Deadline for Super Early Bird Entry Fee: 25 April 2025
Deadline for Early Bird Entry Fee: 27 June 2025
Golden Drum Shortlists Announced: 30 September 2025 at 8.00 CET
Golden Drum Awards Show: 14 October 2025
Groups and Categories: https://goldendrum.com/competition/groups-and-categories
Golden Drum Juries: https://goldendrum.com/competition/juries
Entry System: https://engine.goldendrum.com/
Entry Fees: https://goldendrum.com/competition/competition-fees-payment/one-channel-drum-prices
Media materials
Download images: https://goldendrum.com/press/media-materials
Additional information:
T: + 386 1 439 60 50
Social media:
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/golden-drum-international-festival-of-creativity/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldenDrumFestival/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoldenDrumFestival
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About Golden Drum
The Golden Drum Festival was born with a simple idea of bringing together creatives from different, back then often defined as New European countries. Thirty-one years ago, we’ve learned to play by the rules while dancing to the beat of our own drum. In the realm of advertising, rules aren’t guidelines; they are the canvas for our artistic rebellion. We respect them, we understand them, and then we twist them into something unforgettably unique. The Golden Drum Festival was chosen as one of the seven regional award shows included in WARC Rankings.
