Hosted annually in Shanghai, the AME provides the region's communications industry with a place to discuss, learn and celebrate effectiveness in marketing. Uniting world class leaders, brand pioneers and globally acclaimed marketing experts through a challenging programme of seminars and workshops, it allows delegates to enhance learning and exchange ideas to drive excellence across the Asia Pacific. In its tenth edition, the event will be attended by senior marketers, heads of agencies, brand pioneers, consumer and customer insight professionals, and media owners, and will offer a series of thought-provoking seminars presented by leading industry figures and a showcase of the best marketing effectiveness work produced in the region.

The Asian Marketing Effectiveness Awards, from which the festival has grown, honour clients and their agencies for marketing strategies that deliver solid results to transform businesses and brands. These awards, which are designed to celebrate the collaborative efforts of client marketers and agencies, have come to be recognised as the region's most rigorous effectiveness competition. With over 850 entries every year that are judged by a panel of top client and agency professionals, the awards acknowledge the role of innovative strategy and creative craftsmanship in achieving results, thereby uniting creativity and effectiveness. The awards ceremony will take place on April 27 at the Pudong Shangri-La. Entries for the same must be received by Feb. 9, 2012.

James Thompson, Asia Pacific Chief Marketing Officer of Diageo, has been appointed to lead the 2012 AME Festival jury, which will comprise of top international and regional industry experts from both client and agency backgrounds. Commenting on his chairing role, Thompson said: "At the heart of our industry is our passion for creativity and Asia proudly presents some of the greatest marketing minds. It's sure to be a tough contest but one that I am hugely looking forward to. The Asian Marketing Effectiveness Festival helps to put Asia's creative brand building on the global map and I am honoured to be part of that and this year's jury president."

Terry Savage, Festival Chairman of Cannes Lions, who with Haymarket are joint organisers of the AMEs, added: "The continuous growth of these awards highlights how uniting innovative and creative ideas with effectiveness achieves great results in a growing region. James Thompson has a true understanding of the relationship between the consumer and brand growth through effective marketing and innovation. We are truly delighted to have him on-board to guide the jury in selecting the winners."

In 2011, more than 850 submissions from 19 countries were entered in the AME awards, making it the largest regional marketing effectiveness competition in the region.