The Media Specialists Association (MSA) has announced the judges of the 8th Malaysian Media Awards 2012 (MMA 2012) to select the finalists and winners of the media industry’s most prestigious awards. The Award returns for its eighth time to recognize, applaud, and celebrate the strategic brilliance, innovation and outstanding results of media campaigns within the industry.

“For MMA 2012, in support of the Audit Bureau of Circulations, Newspapers, Magazines, and Small Budget entries cannot be submitted unless the case has appeared in an audited publication. However, we did not see a decline in entries; on the contrary, we received 342 entries this year, a slight increase from the 333 entries received last year. The MMA is all about promoting transparency through a standard format which helps the industry maintain the highest levels of professionalism and integrity. We believe we have taken the right direction as reflected in the quality and quantity of entries received this year,” said Ranganathan Somanathan, President of MSA.

“We are also pleased to see that the response to the two new categories, Social Media and Activation/Events, that we have added to the awards this year was above average,” said Andy Miller, Organizing Chairman of MMA 2012. The jury panel, represented by a diverse group of 33 individuals, including the members of MSA and their clients, Malaysian Advertisers Association (MAA), Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As), Malaysian Digital Association (MDA), and sponsors of the Malaysian Media Awards 2012 contributed their unique industry experience into the voting process, which will be judged based on three criteria: Solutions (Insights/Ideas), Executions and Results.

MSA believes that the judging process would be more transparent and comprehensive with its diverse representation comprising of industry-related parties and the invaluable experience they each party brings to the awards. The line-up of judges this year comprise of some of the industry’s most recognised names. They are as follows:

JURY PANEL

Jury Chairman
Andy Miller
Vizeum Media Services

Jury Panel

MSA:

1. Audrey Chong, PHD Media
2. Bala Pomaleh, Carat Media Services
3. Cheah Yew Fai, MEC Malaysia
4. Girish Menon, Mindshare
5. Gurpreet Singh, Initiative Media
6. Kagee Chew, Universal McCann
7. K. Sivanathan, Trapper MPG
8. Lorraine Capel, Maxus Communications Malaysia
9. Margaret Lim, OMD
10. Neal Estavillo, MediaCompete
11. Nick Drew, Starcom Mediavest Group
12. Rajiv Lal, Zenith Malaysia
13. Sherene Mak, Sen Media
14. Tan Sio Chian, Natural Media
15. Wong Pi Yee, Optimedia Malaysia
16. Wong Siew Wai, Vizeum Media Services

Clients:

17. Abdul Khani Daud, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
18. Emily Lim, L’Oreal Malaysia
19. Karen Ong, Johnson & Johnson
20. Liaw Meiji, Sony Malaysia
21. Rommel Fuentebella, Coca-Cola Far East Limited
22. Tengku Sheila Tengku Azib, Prudential BSN Takaful
23. Umapathi Sundram, Tune Talk
24. Uzma Nawawi, Chevron Malaysia
25. Zalman Zainal, Celcom Axiata

4As:

26. Omar Shaari, Dentsu Utama
27. Tai Kam Leong, Naga DDB

MAA:

28. SuLin Lau, DiGi Telecommunications
29. Yap Swee Leng, Guinness Anchor Marketing

MDA:

30. Rene Menezes, Better Digital Solutions
31. Paul Moss, Alt Media

Sponsors:

32. Avinash Sahu, Media Prima Berhad
33. Kenneth Teo, Astro

“The judges have a tough job this year and I do not envy them!” added Ranganathan. Despite the challenges, the judges recognize the importance of MMA 2012 and are happy to contribute their time and expertise for this award. “The major challenge for me as a judge for MMA 2012 was short-listing the vast number of entries to ‘finalist’ in a short span of time, and the other challenge is to try to keep the ‘creative’ element out of the ‘strategy’,” said Yap Swee Leng, Guinness Anchor Marketing’s Marketing Director and member of Malaysian Advertisers Association (MAA).

“Year-on-year the number of entries and categories kept increasing. This is my third year as a judge and I find the quality of the entries keeps improving, in terms of strategy, execution and presentation,” said Kenneth Teo, Vice President of Media Sales, on behalf of Astro, a sponsor of MMA 2012. Girish Menon, Chief Executive Officer of Mindshare and a member of MSA, agrees with Teo saying that, “The quality of the entries is as good as I’ve seen. The number of platforms and the base has become broader. Rather than dominating, a wider range of agencies should potentially be winning. I see that as a good sign for more different parties to participate, more than the usual.”

With 14 categories in the MMA this year, Emily Lim, Media Manager of L’oreal Malaysia said that the Social Media category excited her the most. “The ideas were original, strategic and effective,” said Lim. On the other hand, Paul Moss, General Manager, Platforms & Technology of Alt Media was most excited with entries from the newspaper category. “I saw a couple of entries that was innovative and went beyond what a newspaper could do. The idea was really good, well thought-out and well executed.”

Whether it’s braving the scary economic climate, impressing the fearsome judges, or competing with the other bloodthirsty participants of MMA 2012, the MSA aptly themed its Media Awards ceremony this year, Friday the 13th, to be held coincidentally on the Friday night of 13 July 2012 at The Royale Chulan Hotel Kuala Lumpur.So if you do not suffer from Paraskevidekatriaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th), head on there for the media industry’s greatest celebration!

So if you do not suffer Finalist certificates will be issued to entries making the shortlist. Although the certificates will not be presented on the Awards night, it will serve as recognition of the good work being done by the media agencies. The 8th Malaysian Media Awards 2012 is an event not to be missed. For table bookings, please call Jade Yoong 03-7660 8535 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .