Press & Interviews

Jury Insights Interview
Andrea Florence
 

We are thrilled to present an exclusive interview with Andrea Florence, an Emmy award-winning Executive Producer renowned for her exceptional work in high-rating factual shows across global broadcasters and platforms. In this interview, Andrea shares her valuable insights from her recent experience as a jury member for the documentary categories at the 2024 US International Awards. She discusses the documentaries that stood out to her the most, offering a glimpse into what makes a truly remarkable production in today's competitive landscape.

Thank you for being part of the 2024 US International Awards Jury! You and your fellow jury members watched a huge number of entries. How would you describe the overall quality of the entries?

My selection included a wide range of shows: some beautifully crafted with high production values, amazing photography, and witty scripts, while others were incredibly powerful and emotionally charged.

Please tell us more about your judging process.

When I judge, I find it essential to be in a quiet environment with no time pressures. To ensure fairness, I always begin by reviewing the background information to understand the context thoroughly. I believe in the importance of careful consideration, often revisiting sections of the performances and adjusting my scores as needed. Only after watching all the assigned videos, I finalize my scores.

Meet the Jury Interview
Tay Guan Hin 

As the esteemed Creative Chairman of BBDO Singapore, Tay Guan Hin is a creative powerhouse and internationally recognized creative thinker. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, he has proven his ability to lead significant agency networks such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Wunderman Thompson, Grey, and Leo Burnett. His remarkable achievements have garnered him recognition through over 300 international creative awards.
 

We are thrilled to have you on the 2024 US International Awards jury. Please tell us more about your professional journey in the creative field and how you navigate your daily work life.

It's a pleasure to be on the 2024 US International Awards jury. My journey in the creative industry has been both enriching and transformative. Launching my first book "Collide," which became an Amazon #1 bestseller in under 24 hours, was a career highlight this year. This success underscores my commitment to embracing conflict as a catalyst for creativity.

As the Creative Chairman of BBDO Singapore, I've had the privilege of working with global networks like Saatchi & Saatchi, Wunderman Thompson, Grey, and Leo Burnett. I have focused on leveraging digital engagement to enhance brand preference for significant clients like Visa, AIA, Audi, Shell, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott, P&G, HSBC, and Unilever. This approach has proven effective in increasing market share and addressing complex business challenges.

Meet the Jury Interview
Xavi Sanchez

As the Executive Head of Video, Xavi Sanchez manages the production of Footballco's massive 1 billion monthly views, making it the top soccer content and media company worldwide. Before joining Footballco, Xavi built his career in sports marketing agencies. As a Creative Producer and Director, he oversaw strategy, creativity, and production for high-profile clients like Real Madrid, Formula 1, and the NBA. He was also commissioned to create content with soccer legends like Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Neymar Jr or Luis Suárez. 


It is our pleasure to have you on the jury for the 2024 US International Awards. Can you tell us more about your job and everyday work life? 

As the Executive Head of Video at Footballco, my job is to lead the strategic direction and execution of all video-related initiatives across our diverse publishing brands. This includes overseeing teams of talented people specializing in audience development, creativity, and video production.

Which aspect of your job do you enjoy the most?

What I find most rewarding in my role is the opportunity to blend creativity with strategy, crafting compelling video content that not only engages our audience but also aligns seamlessly with the brands we represent.

Looking back at your career, do particular projects stand out to you on a personal level?

Meet the Jury Interview
Ewa Ewart

Ewa Ewart is a journalist and an award-winning filmmaker who specializes in groundbreaking and influential documentaries. Born and raised in Poland, she spent most of her career based at BBC TV in London, England. She has traveled and worked in many countries, producing and directing programs ranging from investigations and political to social observational documentaries. 
 

We are thrilled to have you on the jury for the 2024 US International Awards. Please tell us more about your work background and your everyday work life. Could you also tell us what you enjoy the most in your job? 

My journalistic background is in TV News. I learned about documentary filmmaking at the BBC in London. Back in the 1990s, it was a golden era for documentaries. There was money, and we traveled the world making films on various fascinating and relevant subjects. It was an inspiring stretch of my work as a filmmaker, and it lasted a good few years. I am now a freelancer and enjoy the freedom of freelancing offers. However, raising funds for a project can sometimes be daunting and time-consuming. I never had to worry about getting budgets for my films while working for the BBC. 

What do you enjoy the most in your job?

I love the documentary format for many reasons, but one is of critical importance: documentaries offer you enough space to tell what happened and why it happened. It was the main reason I eventually had enough of news. This format often leaves the viewer with many unanswered questions. In a documentary, you have time and space to create in-depth context for complex events and make them easier for a wider audience to understand.