Círculo Creativo and AHAA annouce Judges for the 2014 USH IDEA AWARDS

Agencies across the U.S. will have the opportunity to showcase the best of their Hispanic work in front of a who’s who collective of the best and most revered creative directors in the U.S. and Latin America. Círculo Creativo, in partnership with AHAA: The Voice of Hispanic Marketing, revealed a powerful list of judges for its Third Annual U.S.H. Idea Awards, which is accepting submissions through April 1st, 2014. The award, which recognizes the best creativity in U.S. Hispanic advertising, has added three new categories: public relations; branded content and entertainment; and integrated campaigns.

2014 USH Idea Awards Jury:

Icaro Doria, Executive Creative Director, Wieden+Kennedy São Paolo: With a career spanning three continents, Mr. Doria launched Wieden+Kennedy’s first and only shop in South America. In two short years, the agency became a creative reference and is one of the fastest growing agencies in Brazil, currently with more than 120 employees.

Hector Fernandez, Co-CEO & Executive Creative Director, Publicis Mexico: For more than 20 years, Mr. Fernandez has created award-winning work for some of the biggest advertising brands in Mexico: VW, Mattel, Pepsi, BMW, Mini, Nescafe, Frito Lay, Mercedes- Benz, FedEx, Campbell’s, ESPN, Alka-Seltzer and Jeep, among others. His work has been recognized by Cannes, FIAP, LIA, and The One Show. In 2013, Publicis was named Agency of the Year by the Mexican Creative Club and became them most awarded agency at the EFFIES for the second year in a row.

Mario Granatur, VP/Creative Director, Conill: Having worked on internationally-renowned brands such as Toyota, T-Mobile, General Mills, Coors, Energizer, McDonald’s and Bacardi, Mr. Granatur has won several awards, including the only Cannes Gold Lion in the Hispanic Market for TV and the first Grand Prix for the Hispanic Market at FIAP. He also has served as a judge in several Latin American festivals such as FIAP, El Ojo de Iberoamérica and the Antigua Festival, among others.

Claudio Lima, VP/Creative Director, Y&R/Bravo Miami: Mr. Lima’s career spans three continents, from his native Brazil to Europe, followed by tenure at such distinguished U.S.-based agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, FCB Chicago, and DRAFTFCB New York. He has led creative development for brands like FedEx, Dell, AT&T, Wendy’s, Coke, Burger King, Kraft and Milkbone, among others. He has won a total of 25 Lion Awards at Cannes and has received recognition for his work at the D&AD, Clio, One Show, FIAP, El Ojo de Iberoamérica, El Sol, Eurobest, and London International – many of which he later served as a juror member.

Joaquin Molla, Co-Founder & General Creative Director, la comunidad: After much success working for several Argentine agencies on international brands including Pepsi, Nike, Volkswagen, Visa, Audi, 7-Up, Bayer and FedEx, Mr. Molla founded la comunidad in 2000 with his brother José. In the last 14 years, la comunidad has spearheaded global campaigns for the U.S., Latin America and the Hispanic market for brands such as Apple, Volvo, Citibank, Corona Extra, Modelo Especial, Converse, MTV, Sony, Rolling Stone, Coca-Cola, Disney, Trident, and Virgin Mobile, among others. His work has been awarded at top advertising festivals, including Cannes, Clio, Art Director Club of New York, The One Show, New York Festival, D&AD, London Festival and FIAP, where he also has had the privilege of serving as a judge for several.

Luis Miguel Messianu, President & Chief Creative Officer, Alma DDB: Mr. Messianu is one of the most acclaimed, innovative and influential creative directors in the U.S., having developed groundbreaking creative for McDonald’s, State Farm, Clorox, Anheuser Busch, General Motors, Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and L’Oreal, among others. He has been named “Creative Director of the Year” four consecutive quarters by Latin Spots; “Creative Director of the Year” and “Agency Executive of the Year” by HispanicAd, making him the only person to receive both awards. He also has received two Silver Cannes Lions and AHAA’s “President Award” – his work has received recognition at the Clios, The One Show, EFFIES, FIAP, El Sol, Art Director’s Club, New York Festival, El Ojo de Iberoamérica, Epica Awards, National Addy, ANA Multicultural Excellence Awards, AAF Mosaic Awards, Caribe Festival, Wave Festival, USH Idea Awards, HAPE Awards, and London International.

Aldo Quevedo, Principal/Creative Director, Richards/Lerma: Known for his passion for great ideas and innovative solutions, Mr. Quevedo is a barrier breaker, having been the first Mexican to win a Cannes Lion and the Grand Award and the New York Festival, as well as the first Mexican to be inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement® – the prestigious industry award that recognizes advertising leaders under the age of 40. In 2010, he was honored with the ADCOLOR Industry Coalition’s Legend Award, and has been named Creative Director of the Year three times by Latin Spots. A founding member and former president of Círculo Creativo, Mr. Quevedo is currently chair of AHAA.

Favio Ucedo, Executive Creative Director, Wing: With a 25-year creative career spanning two countries, Mr. Ucedo has won awards at the D&AD, Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, EFFIES, Webby Awards, New York Festival, London International Festival, National Addys, FIAP, El Sol, El Ojo de Iberoamérica, and Ad Age Hispanic Awards – the latter having won “Best of Show” three times. A former president of Círculo Creativo, he has won “Best Creative Director of the U.S. Hispanic Market” four times by El Ojo de Iberoamérica, as well as “Creative Director of the Year” by AHAA.

Curro Chozas, Creative Director, Grupo Gallegos: One of the most awarded creative directors, Mr. Chozas has received three Cannes Lions for the U.S. Hispanic Market – his work also was recognized by the prestigious Gunn Report which included three of his pieces among the 100 most awarded pieces worldwide. In addition, he has won several awards at the most important national and international festivals including San Sebastian, FIAP, London, El Ojo, Addy, USH Idea Awards, AHAA (including Grand Prix), EFFIES USA, New York Festivals, Jay Chiat, and Clio, among others. His most recent work, “Battle ” for Got Milk?, is the most awarded piece in the market for 2013 and was instrumental in Grupo Gallegos Group obtaining the award for independent agency of the year at El Ojo de Iberoamérica. A former president of Círculo Creativo, Mr. Chozas has been a jury member in many festivals including AHAA, Ad Age and FIAP.

Mauricio Galván, Partner, Chief Creative Officer, D Expósito and Partners: During his 18 year career, Mr. Galván has worked in the most prestigious firms in Mexico and the U.S., developing creative for top brands in the automotive, banking, packaged goods, retail, pharmaceutical, fast food, spirits, beverage and wireless industries. He has earned a Bronze Lion at Cannes; the Gold at the One Show; Silver and Bronze at Clio; four Silver and two Bronze at FIAP; more than 20 awards and two Grand Prix in the Circle of Gold in Mexico; Best of Show twice, six Gold, 11 Silver and 10 Bronze at the AdAge/AHAA Creative Awards; twice the Radio Mercury Award; twice Best in Radio and twice Best Agency in the U.S. at El Ojo de Iberoamérica. A former president of Círculo Creativo, Mr. Galván was recognized by HispanicAd to be the best creative director in the Hispanic Market.

Claudio Vera, Creative Director, Hispanic Creative Consultant: With more than 20 years of experience in advertising, Mr. Vera moved from his role as Creative Director of Casanova Pendrill/McCann Erickson to take on freelance consultant assignments, while developing a side project for non-traditional creativity applied to arts called “Good Karma.” His extensive career has taken him to top international agencies working for Ford, Fiat, Nestle, General Mills, Xbox, Discovery Networks, Geico, MillerCoors, Johnson & Johnson, among others. He has obtained more than 80 international recognitions in the most prestigious advertising festivals such as Cannes, New York Festival, London Festival, The Art Directors Club of Los Angeles, and FIAP. He also has formed part of the jury at the North American EFFIE Awards, El Ojo de Iberoamérica, USH Idea Awards, FIAP, and the Billboard Latin Music Marketing Awards.

Laurence Klinger, Executive VP & Chief Creative Officer, Lápiz – Leo Burnett: After becoming one of Latin America’s most awarded creative professionals, Mr. Klinger went from internationally expanding W/Brasil to become W/Group, with agencies in Chicago, Barcelona and Lisbon, to creating the Hispanic division of Leo Burnett that would become Lápiz, the premier multicultural creative agency in the U.S. winning more than 280 major awards at the most important advertising festivals around the globe. A published fiction writer, Mr. Klinger was voted “Creative Director of the Year” by HispanicAd and AHAA in 2011 and won “Best Creative Director of the Year” at El Ojo de Iberoamérica in 2013 – the same year Lápiz won “Agency of the Year.”

The USH Idea Awards, which will take place in Miami, FL on Tuesday, April 29th, 2014 as part of the 2014 AHAA “Thinking Under the Influence” Conference, will honor campaigns executed between March 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. All work created and executed during this time is eligible and can be entered within one or more categories, as well as “Best of Category.” The deadline to enter is April 1, 2014 with a late fee deadline extension of April 18, 2014. For detailed rules and information, please visit www.ushideaawards.com.

About Círculo Creativo: Founded in 1999, Círculo Creativo is a non-profit organization that represents creative directors, producers and ad planners of the Spanish-language advertising industry on a national and international basis.