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).