BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA — August 27, 2026 If Day One of MAD STARS 2026 asked whether artificial intelligence can transform creativity, Day Two moved the conversation one step further: what happens when the transformation reaches the very foundations of marketing? On the second day of the three-day festival in Busan, the conversation shifted from the capabilities of AI to the future of brands, consumer relationships, culture and creativity. Under this year’s theme, “AMPLIFY,” globa

- Taking the stage on opening day, five global creative leaders spotlighted the entries that left a lasting impression during this year's judging. - Their selections reflected a broader shift in creativity, highlighting campaigns driven by cultural empathy, proactive problem-solving, and invisible technology. 26 August 2026 MAD STARS 2026 officially opened today in Busan, hosting the "Conversation with the Executive Jury" as a key highlight of its opening day. Taking the st

BUSAN SOUTH KOREA |August 26, 2026 The global creative and marketing industry converged in Busan today as MAD STARS 2026 officially opened at SIGNIEL BUSAN, bringing together creative leaders, marketers, technologists, agencies, and emerging talent from across the world. Running from August 26 to 28 under the theme “AMPLIFY,” this year’s festival is exploring how technology can expand the possibilities of creativity while keeping human intelligence, curiosity, and cultural un

- Emerging creatives from around the world take on a 30-hour live brief, receiving mentorship and direct feedback from global industry leaders. 25 August 2026 Ahead of the official opening of MAD STARS 2026, the Young Stars and New Stars MAD Competitions kicked off on 25 August at SIGNIEL BUSAN. Running through 28 August, the competitions challenge emerging creatives to build complete campaigns under real-world time constraints while receiving direct guidance from active in

- Eight sessions featuring creative leaders from AKQA, Publicis, Ogilvy, ADK, Digitas, Cheil, O Escritório, and MONKS explore creativity in a rapidly changing industry. 13 August 2026 MAD STARS 2026 has unveiled details of eight conference sessions centered on creativity. Together, they explore how creative work is evolving as AI, technology, culture, and changing audience behavior reshape the industry. Under its 2026 theme, AMPLIFY, MAD STARS will present approximately 40 se

MAD STARS expands its 2026 program with the announcement of global jury panels for its YOUNG STARS and NEW STARS competitions, bringing together senior creative leaders to evaluate and mentor emerging talent in real-world creative challenges held in Busan. MAD STARS 2026 has unveiled the jury lineups for its YOUNG STARS and NEW STARS MAD Competitions, two global programs designed to identify and develop the next generation of creative talent under live, real-world conditions.

MAD STARS has officially opened applications for YOUNG STARS and NEW STARS 2026, two global competition programs offering students and emerging professionals the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the international creative industry. Held as part of MAD STARS 2026 in Busan, Korea, from August 25–28, the programs bring together emerging talent from around the world for an intensive creative experience designed to bridge learning with industry practice. YOUNG STARS is

The global advertising and marketing awards program introduces a revised category structure, updated AI disclosure standards, and a stronger focus on measurable impact and health communication. MAD STARS 2026 has officially opened entries, unveiling a revised framework designed to better reflect how creative work is increasingly evaluated across today’s marketing and communications landscape. Now in its 19th edition, the global awards platform is inviting submissions from age

Spikes Asia буюу Ази Номхон далайн бүс нутгийн хамгийн нэр хүндтэй, олонд танигдсан бүтээлч сэтгэлгээ ба үр өгөөжтэй маркетингийн шагналын эзэд 2026 оны 3 сарын 12-нд Сингапурт болсон гала хүлээн авалтын ёслолын үеэр зарлалаа. Узбекистан улс National Agency for Social Protection байгууллагад зориулан бүтээсэн "The Weight of Pain" бүтээлээрээ Film Craft төрөлд Алт, Мөнгөн гэсэн хоёр Spikes хүртсэн нь Төв Азийн орноос шагнал хүртсэн анхны тохиолдол боллоо. Энэхүү амжилт нь тус

Making People Care in the Age of AI: Why Storytelling Still Matters At ADFEST 2026 in Pattaya, Oliver Atkinson, Managing Director of London-based production company Casual, delivered a session that reminded the creative industry of a simple truth: no matter how advanced technology becomes, connecting with people emotionally remains the heart of effective marketing. Titled “Making People Care: Storytelling in the Age of AI,” the talk combined insights, innovation, and a live d

During the ADFEST, one of the most thought-provoking workshops I attended focused on a question many creatives are quietly asking: how should we actually be using LinkedIn today? Titled “LinkedIn for Creatives - The 2026 edition,” the session challenged a long-held perception—that LinkedIn is a purely corporate, overly formal platform with limited relevance for creative professionals. Instead, it presented a much clearer reality. LinkedIn is no longer just a social media plat

The culmination of ADFEST 2026 is the announcement of Lotus Special Awards at PEACH, Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand. ADFEST is pleased to announce the winners below. A new Special Award has been added to the line-up this year with Independent Network of the Year joining the line-up. ADFEST 2026 SPECIAL AWARDS NETWORK OF THE YEAR ADFEST 2026 proud to announce that Dentsu has retained the title of Network of the Year. The group of 11 offices that entered the ADFE

The ADFEST 2026 Young Lotus Workshop has been completed by 29 young creatives, representing 15 cities, including Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Guangzhou, Gurugram, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Riyadh, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, and Tokyo. Vinit Suraphongchai, Chairman of ADFEST welcomed all the participants to ADFEST before the start of their two-day workshop. He explained, “Young Lotus is at the heart of ADFEST. Local advertising associations from the re

The culmination of the final day at ADFEST 2026 on Saturday, 21st March saw the second of two presentations of Lotus Awards to the elected winners in 9 categories, Outdoor, Press, Radio & Audio, Film, Creative Strategy, Effective, Sustainable, INNOVA Lotus and Lotus Roots. In addition, the Young Lotus, Grande for Humanity and Special Awards were also announced to a packed hall. The awards were presented at PEACH, Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand. A total of 1,40

ADFEST 2026 is now gearing up at PEACH, Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, Thailand. This year it is welcoming 770 delegates from 56 cities who have been streaming through its doors since the start of the three-day festival. ADFEST 2026 runs from 19th March to 21st March 2026 and is hosting is a full program to keep eager delegates busy, including 61 back-to-back speaker sessions, broadcasts at the breakout stage, interactive workshops, Production Hut hub and an exhibition

Suncorp’s ‘Haven’ reframes insurance marketing—but does it go far enough? As climate risk accelerates, the insurance industry is facing a structural dilemma: how to remain relevant in a world where the scale of risk is increasingly difficult to underwrite. Against this backdrop, Suncorp Group has launched Suncorp Haven —a data-led platform designed to shift the narrative from recovery to resilience. It is, on the surface, a notable departure from traditional insurance marketi

ADFEST 2026 returns to Pattaya from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st March 2026 at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), Royal Cliff Hotels Group, under the powerful theme Human+. ADFEST 2026 “Human+” At a time of accelerating change, the spotlight often shines on technology, platforms and increasingly complex systems. The focus at ADFEST 2026 is founded on a clear conviction: true, enduring value lies not only in these tools, but in how people are empowered by th

At Spikes Asia 2026 in Singapore, the industry’s focus on creator partnerships, practical AI, B2B branding, and local cultural insights was clear. Spikes Asia Week took place from March 9 to 12 in Singapore, featuring learning, networking, and awards. Creative Campus at the National Design Centre on March 12 and the Awards Gala at the Capitol Theatre were highlights. Sessions included Meta’s Jimmy Lee on creator partnerships, Armand de Saint-Salvy on AI workflows, LinkedIn’s