THE Asian advertising industry will have its own Oscars for the first time next year.
International Advertising Festival (IAF), the company behind the prestigious annual Cannes Lions, has tied up with publisher Haymarket to bring an Asian version of its successful show in Cannes.
The inaugural Spikes Asia will be held at Suntec Singapore next year from Sept 16 to 18.
IAF chairman Terry Savage expects some 1,000 visitors to attend the show and expects it to grow bigger every year, although he declined to reveal rate of growth.
It will be an annual show in Singapore, to be held every September, Mr Savage said.
The Republic was chosen for its 'central location, great infrastructure and great airline connectivity'.
He said, the reason for running an Asian show is because of the increasing talent coming from the region. In 2004, the region took home 26 awards at Cannes Lions. The number shot up to 97 by this year.
For Singapore Tourism Board, having the event is a coup in a time of dwindling tourism arrivals.
Mr Aloysius Arlando, assistant chief executive of STB's business travel arm said: 'The event is well-timed, providing the region's growing creative and advertising industry an opportune platform to network and exchange ideas, further driving the growth of this industry in the Asian region.'
