Paul Silburn

Londoners use to say their city is the greatest in the world. And, let´s be reasonable, when it comes to advertising, they are right. Just check out Paul Silburn curriculum. In any other place in the world, he would be the best advertiser ever, but in UK he is just, let´s say, in the top 20. He has won over 20 lions, including legendary campaigns like "No nonsense" or John West Salmon´s "Bear Fight" and, more recently, "Life´s for Sharing" for T-Mobile.

Paul has worked in a row of agencies that include Lowe, TBWA Leo Burnett, BBH and Saatchi & Saatchi, we could say, half of the best London agencies. He has also made a small adventure at Fallon Minneapolis, but it didn´t last long. Pat Fallon fired him and, since them, things haven't been working at the classic agency.

Different of other creatives, its hard to identify his strong point. He has done funny physical comedy, sensitive subjects and down-to-earth advertising. He has been awarded in alternative media, film, print and outdoor. One thing, although, it´s easy to notice. His ads all look real. If he had done any scams, we don´t know, but their biggest award campaigns are pretty real.

Ad Genius 17: Paul Silburn.
Countries: UK, USA.
Agencies: Lowe, TBWA, Leo Burnett, BBH, Fallon, Saatchi.
At Cannes: Over 20 lions, 7 Gold.
Strong Points: Versatility.

Agnello Dias

Prasoon Joshi may be the Indian dearest, but the biggest talent from the fastest growing country in the world is definitely Agnello Dias. Joshi´s fan may say that Aggie (his nickname) has no local style and he makes advertising like an European. This is, somehow, true, altough in the last years, we´ve seen Bollywood-style films from him.

After Dart, Interpublicity and Lowe, Agnello finally reached the place where he would start to build a winning career: Leo Burnett. After three bronze lions, something considered very big in India, Aggie was hired in JWT and became CCO soon. In just three years, he won an unprecedented collection of 11 lions, including the first and only Grand Prix in the history for India.

After becoming bigger than any agency in India, Agnello took the obvious decision to open his own. But, more than that, he called his old pal from Leo Burnett, also multi-awarded Santosh Padhi, to join him in what we would call the hottest shop in India, maybe from the whole Asia. In the last 10 years, both creatives have won more lions than all the other Indian agencies together. Let´s see what he is preparing for next year!

Ad Genius 7: Agnello Dias.

Country: India.

Agencies: Lowe, Leo Burnett, JWT, TapRoot.

At Cannes: 14 lions, 1 GP, 6 golds.

Strong Points: Critic view, black humour.

Jureeporn Thaidumrong

Our first female ad genius comes from Thailand. Jureeporn Thaidumrong, known as Judee, is the owner of JEH United, the country´s most awarded agency. She is probably the most powerful creative woman in Asia, perhaps from the whole world. Asked if she had to fight harder to become a creative executive, she answered elegantly:

" It’s not true that women in Asia have a harder time getting to the higher echelons of the ad business. I actually think women here have more opportunities than in North America or Europe. In Thailand for example, there are many female creative directors. And that’s not only true in creative departments. You see lots of senior management and CEO positions being occupied by women. And it’s true all over."

Judee started at Grey and passed through Y&R, Leo Burnett, DDB and Results, an Ogilvy hot shop. There, she met Neil French, the Asian british guru, and her career gave a jump. She started to win awards and was named ECD at Saatchi & Saatchi and after at McCann until opening her own business. JEH´s work, like most from Thailand, is very imaginative , smart and unique, maybe looking a bit weird for the average western eye.

Altough most consider Judee a phenomenon, some people think she wins awards more easily than most of people, because she is woman and asian. Check out her portfolio and decide by yourself.

Ad Genius 4: Jureeporn Thaidumrong.

Country: Thailand.

Agencies: Grey, Y&R, Leo Burnett, DDB, Results, Saatchi & Saatchi, McCann, JEH United.

At Cannes: 11 lions, 4 gold.

Strong points: Visual tricks (print) and humour (film).

Ícaro Doria

Ícaro is a Brazilian print master, a self-made man, who won major-awards at unknown agencies in small countries, until reaching Saatchi & Saatchi New York and helping to make it Agency of the Year in Cannes.

Ícaro is a visual thinker for excellence, but Brazilian top agencies thought he couldn´t make "good headlines", making the terrible mistake of neglecting him. Then, Doria found his way in Portugal, considered the European refuge for Brazilian creatives. There, he made multi-awarded campaigns for insignificant agencies and clients, until Tony Granger discovered his talent and called him to Saatchi NY. In the world capital, he created his most famous print campaigns and started to make great work also for radio and TV. Now, Ícaro is having some tough time at hard-for-creatives Y&R New York, but is also colecting some few awards. This time, as Creative Director.

Contrary to most of our ad geniuses, Ícaro did not win a Grand Prix in Cannes, but he was close twice. The first time was in 2003, when his ad for Ferin Library was considered the best of the year, until the jury found out it was a scam (big deal!). Two years later, his campaign for Grande Reportagem Magazine was clearly above everything else in print, but the lobby for TBWA Paris was stronger, and the Grand Prix went to EMI for some few votes. Anyway, things were never easy for Ícaro. Maybe that´s why he keeps making good work!

Ad Genius 3: Ícaro Doria

Countries: Brazil, Portugal, USA.

Agencies: DPZ, Leo Burnett Lisbon, FCB Lisbon, S&S New York, Y&R New York.

At Cannes: 11 lions, 3 gold.

Strong points: Fast descriptions of big truths.