SINGAPORE – February 4, 2020 – Effie Asia Pacific is delighted to welcome Japan Airlines’ Akira Mitsumasu and Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) Kainaz Gazder as its third set of Heads of Jury for the 2020 APAC Effie Awards. 

Akira is a veteran in the aviation industry with more than 30 years of experience, and multiple leadership positions under his belt. In the course of his illustrious career, Akira has been named one of Asia’s Best Marketers and celebrated amongst the 50 Most Influential Global Marketing Leaders.

In his current role as Japan Airlines’ Vice President of Global Marketing, Akira leads the department in driving the growth and innovation across the airline’s international markets.  Rendering his contribution to the larger marketing community, Akira also serves as a member of the CMO Council Asia Pacific Advisory Board, as well as the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Board of Directors.  Akira is also a voracious researcher on business-related issues and has published a book on Japanese Corporate Groups.

On his appointment, Akira said, "It is a great honour to serve as a Head of Jury at the APAC Effie Awards 2020. I endeavour to contribute to the best of my ability, and I look forward to all of us in the marketing community sharing best practices and recognising outstanding work among the entries." 

With nearly 25 years in the FMCG industry, Kainaz has built a track record in launching new brands, turning around struggling businesses and taking strong businesses to greater heights.  Starting out with P&G India in 1996, Kainaz has been credited for numerous business-building and award-winning brand campaigns.  Among her notable achievements are the introduction of compelling campaigns and product innovations that led to the Pampers brand becoming a market leader in Japan and reclaiming leadership positions in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

As the Chief Marketing Officer of P&G AMA, she is responsible for developing the next generation of brand builders and business leaders.  She leads capability development and career planning of over 500 marketers across all brands and the region. She champions marketing effectiveness by operationalizing ideas that lead to brand’s success as measured by penetration, share and equity. 

Commenting on her appointment, Kainaz said, “An Effie Award is a global symbol of achievement, representing ideas that build brands.  As a Brand Builder for over 20 years, I am thrilled to help champion the most effective ideas as a Head of Jury for the APAC Effies.”

The Effie Awards is the industry’s most prestigious recognition of effectiveness.  Celebrating the practice and practitioners of marketing effectiveness, it spotlights the best-in-class marketing communication efforts and ideas that contribute to a brand’s success.

Effie Asia Pacific has also unveiled its third group of jurors on its website.  The final set of Heads of Jury and jurors making up the Awards Judging Committee will be introduced in the coming week. The latest updates on the competition may be accessed via the awards website at www.apaceffie.com