MAD STARS REVAMPS AWARD CATEGORIES FOR 2023
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MAD STARS (formerly known as AD STARS) has announced a comprehensive revamp to the award categories as the submissions for 2023 awards kick off in February.
Last year, MAD STARS rebranded its awards names to reflect the expansion into categories beyond traditional advertising to encompass new areas such as marketing and digital content. As an extension of the rename, this year’s categories are getting a comprehensive overhaul.
“The creative industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, with the lines between different sectors becoming increasingly blurred. To address this, MAD STARS is adapting by placing emphasis on sharing ideas and updating its award categories to stay current with the latest advancements in marketing and communication.” said Hwanjin Choi, Chairperson of MAD STARS.
The overarching structure of redesigned award categories consists of six high-level concepts:
▲ SOLUTION Group: Judging and awarding campaigns that provide business services through creative ideas for solving problems.
▲ STRATEGY Group: Evaluating campaigns that have established effective marketing strategies in various industries.
▲ DIVERSE INSIGHTS Group: Selecting campaigns that reflect the unique cultural characteristics of specific regions.
▲ VIDEO Group: Judging and awarding colorful video content that supports the accomplishment of marketing goals.
▲ PSA Group: Evaluating ideas to solve the shared challenges facing humanity based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
▲ PIVOT Group: Evaluating new strategies developed to respond to crises.
The aforementioned six groups are subdivided into twenty-four ‘Stars (mid-level categories)’ and three hundred seventy-three ‘Categories (lower-level categories).’
One notable aspect of the category revamp is MAD STARS’ continued emphasis on PSAs. MAD STARS has always placed a high value on PSAs, maintaining a separate section for PSAs and making this a mandatory category for selecting the annual top prize of Grand Prix of the Year. The PSA Group will remain separate under the new framework, with a view to raising awareness about the importance of social contribution activities and public campaigns while also stressing the importance of campaigns that contain sustainable messages for the future.
This year’s entries will be evaluated by judging panels of three hundred forty-five highly respected experts from the advertising, digital technology, media, and PR industries. The winners will be selected through a rigorous and fair judging process, with a preliminary round followed by three final rounds. Each category will award Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, and Bronze prizes, and two Grand Prix winners will receive the ultimate recognition of ‘Grand Prix of the Year.’ One ‘Grand Prix of the Year’ winner will be selected from among the five groups excluding the PSA Group, while the other will come from internal competition within the PSA Group.
This year’s entry submission period is open from February to June 15th (KST) without any extensions.
Submissions can be made through the MAD STARS website (www.madstars.org). Eligibility for entry is divided between professional and general public sections, each with separate submissions, judging, and awards. This means allowing for entrants from individuals who do not work in a related industry. No entry fee for all categories, except ‘Integrated Stars’ and ‘Innovation Stars,’ and all entries in the general public section are free of charge also.
This year’s edition of MAD STARS will center around the theme of ‘REBOOT! Refresh Your Strategy for the Post-pandemic Era,’ and will be held in the coastal city of Busan over the course of three days, starting August 23rd (KST).
MAD STARS is now seeking jury and speaker submissions for this year’s festival. If you’re interested in speaking at MAD STARS 2023 or in judging the MAD STARS 2023 Awards, submit your bio before February 28th via the MAD STARS website.
KEY DATES & DEADLINES
The 16th MAD STARS festival will run over three days from August 23rd to 25th, 2023 at BEXCO in the beautiful seaside city of Busan. MAD STARS 2023 Awards ceremony will take place on August 23rd and 25th.
The MAD STARS Awards are judged in two phases beginning with the preliminary stage, which takes place remotely on June 26th – July 6th, 2023. Forty-five Final Judges will evaluate from July to August to select the Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Crystal winners.
Established in 2008, MAD STARS has quickly emerged as one of the world’s biggest – and most democratic – international advertising festivals. The deadline for the MAD STARS 2023 Awards is June 15th.
Source: https://www.adstars.org/
