The Cairns Crocodiles Awards, an annual celebration of marketing excellence in the Asia-Pacific region, will attract a stellar lineup of judges this year. The esteemed panel includes marketing leaders from the United Nations, Thiess, Audible, and Zespri International, as well as the renowned founder of The Marketing Academy, Sherilyn Shackell.
Judges from the United Nations and the Global Marketing Scene
- David Ohana, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at the United Nations
- Julia McMurray, Global Senior Brand and Marketing Lead at Thiess
- Polly Blenkinship, Global Head of Brand Media at Audible
- Nikos Patiniotakis, Head of Global Brand Development at Zespri International
- Sherilyn Shackell, Founder and Global CEO of The Marketing Academy
The calibre of talent in this year’s judging panel is a testament to the growing importance of marketing in the Asia-Pacific region. With a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise, the judges will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the evaluation of the entries.
About Our Judges
- David Ohana, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at the United Nations
- Experience: 24 years of experience across branding, advertising, and social impact
- Notable Campaigns: Led campaigns with figures like Beyoncé, Charlize Theron, and George Clooney, shaping narratives that have reached billions
- Background: Previously served as chief of brand building at UNICEF, content producer for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and head of film and special projects at OCHA
David Ohana is a highly respected marketing leader with a long history of delivering innovative and impactful campaigns. His experience at the United Nations has given him a unique perspective on global marketing challenges and opportunities.
Julia McMurray: Brand Building Expertise
- Julia McMurray, Global Senior Brand and Marketing Lead at Thiess
- Experience: Spearheaded brand and marketing duties at Thiess for the past two and half years
- Notable Campaigns: Worked on campaigns including “Great Australian Brew” at Bundaberg Brewed Drinks
- Background: Previously held marketing roles at Michael Hill, Tatts Group, and John Deere
Julia McMurray brings a wealth of brand building expertise to the judging panel. Her experience in the mining industry has given her a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing companies in this sector.
Polly Blenkinship: Driving Global Brand Success
- Polly Blenkinship, Global Head of Brand Media at Audible
- Experience: Managed teams across four regions and is responsible for global brand media strategy and implementation across 13 countries
- Notable Campaigns: Led successful marketing initiatives at Foxtel
- Background: Passion for leading diverse teams, driving collaboration through matrixed organisations, and commercial growth from measurable marketing initiatives
Polly Blenkinship is a highly experienced marketing leader with a track record of delivering successful global brand campaigns. Her expertise in brand media strategy and implementation will be invaluable to the judging panel.
Nikos Patiniotakis: A Brand Development Expert
- Nikos Patiniotakis, Head of Global Brand Development at Zespri International
- Experience: Successfully executed brand strategies for top global brands
- Notable Campaigns: Led brand strategies for Unilever Food Solutions and Zespri International
- Background: Believes in a brand’s responsibility to create value across its ecosystem by doing well and doing good
Nikos Patiniotakis is a highly respected brand development expert with a long history of delivering successful brand strategies. His experience in the kiwifruit industry has given him a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing food brands.
Sherilyn Shackell: A Marketing Leadership Expert
- Sherilyn Shackell, Founder and Global CEO of The Marketing Academy
- Experience: Developed leadership talent in marketing, media and advertising
- Notable Achievements: Inducted into the Courvoisier Future 500, invited to join the Marketing Group of Great Britain, and identified as one of the UK’s Vision100 by Adobe
- Background: Founded The Marketing Academy in 2010, providing world-class learning for all levels of talent
Sherilyn Shackell is a highly respected marketing leadership expert with a long history of developing leadership talent in the industry. Her expertise in marketing education and leadership development will be invaluable to the judging panel.
Xanthe Wells: Driving Creative Innovation
- Xanthe Wells, VP of Global Creative at Pinterest
- Experience: Driven the brand’s creative transformation, delivering a major step change in creative output
- Notable Campaigns: Led the Pinterest House of Creative to unprecedented ROI for major initiatives
- Background: Previously led the Google Devices & Services Creative Team as Global ECD
Xanthe Wells is a highly respected creative leader with a track record of delivering innovative and impactful campaigns. Her expertise in driving creative innovation will be invaluable to the judging panel.
The Cairns Crocodiles Awards 2025
The Cairns Crocodiles Awards 2025 will take place in Far North Queensland, where a handful of the judges will descend upon to evaluate the entries. The event promises to be an exciting celebration of marketing excellence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Get Your Tickets Now
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend the Cairns Crocodiles Awards 2025. Buy your tickets now and be a part of this exciting event.
The Cairns Crocodiles Awards is a premier event for marketing professionals in the Asia-Pacific region.
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