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.

Gerry Graf

Think on the funniest campaigns you have seen lately from USA: "Combo´s man-mom", the latest crazy Skittles ideas, Fedex office commercials, and Crest campaign of smile. Gerry Graf has made them all. Gerry is all about humour since before starting his carreer, writing comedy sketches at college. Living in New York didn´t hurt too... Like Woody Allen or Jerry Seinfeld, he knew how to find comedy in every aspect of life.

Gerry started as a junior in Saatchi & Saatchi, but only when he reached BBDO NY, he started to create the called "effective advertising". His career gave its highes jump when he created the legendary campaign for E-Trade in the beggining of cyber-era, end of 90s.

Last year, Gerry Graf has received the tough challenge to charge Tony Granger´s place in Saatchi & Saatchi New York, which was named the agency of the year in the previous Cannes edition. Gerry has been doing great work, even without the top names Granger had in his team. Last year, he captured a Gold Press Lion and a Silver Film Lion for Miller. On the other hand, Granger is struggling in boring Y&R.

Ad Genius 14: Gerry Graf.
Country: USA.
Agencies: BBDO NY, Goodby Silverstein Partners, TBWA Chiat/Day, Saatchi NY.
At Cannes: 20 lions, 7 Gold.
Strong Points: Nonsense 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.