Nominees Category: Innovation

In the last year, Samba TV Australia Managing Director Yasmin Sanders accelerated Samba TV’s growth as the preeminent video automatic content recognition (ACR) company in Australia, delivering triple-digit YoY growth and since launching a new product in market, have seen dramatic growth. Now, for the first time in Australia, brands, agencies, broadcasters and publishers can have access to privacy-first technology that delivers holistic media planning and buying for more effective omniscreen targeting and audience reach. As one of the first thought leaders for programmatic TV in Australia and current Chair of the IAB Australia’s Ad Effectiveness Council, Sanders’ has made a positive impact in the industry by introducing this new technology so that brands, agencies, broadcasters and publishers can better target and reach their audiences.

Fe Husaint is grit, gut, and grace in female form. Her Fe-nominal rise through the ranks is a testimony to her hardwork, talent, and leadership. From Greenpark employee no. 1 to Account Director (2018), Brand & Strategy Director (2019), Creative & Global Brand Head (2021), Deputy Managing Director (2022), and now the Managing Director (2023), the youngest and only Asian, female Group Managing Partner.

Fe’s objective is to continue growing the business by growing the team, client relationships and embracing innovation to improve efficiencies, value adds and launch new future-forward services to enhance, strengthen and differentiate Greenpark’s offer. Fe believes in creating a unique, diverse, and creative culture that embraces experts across APAC—regardless of gender or ethnicity. She believes in being a strategic partner to clients, who can offer innovative, creative solutions that are meaningful and impactful. Her vision is to produce high-performing content that’s cost efficient, agile and creative.

Anna Soliman is the blueprint of how an individual can lead change, no matter what role she has in an organization.

On average, only 30% of speakers at global conferences are women, and many event organizers use the excuse ‘We tried but couldn’t find women speakers.’ Anna knew this was not an inventory problem, it’s a visibility problem.

She created Pass Her The Mic, a program that assembled and trained hundreds of women speakers from agencies across 15 markets in APAC, and publicized them in a freely accessible database (fb.me/PHTM). All six global agency networks united to support this one initiative, an unprecedented move.

Thanks to Anna Soliman and Pass Her The Mic, hundreds of women in the agency industry are being seen not just as excellent speakers but as leaders. What a game changer.

Melita Teo is the Chief Customer and Digital Officer (CCDO) at AIA Singapore, responsible for enhancing the Customer, Brand, Health and Wellness propositions. She spearheads enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives and accelerates the implementation of an Integrated Digital experience across Customers and Distribution. Guided by her vision to enhance customer experiences using digital technologies, transform the insurance industry, and maximize the efficiency of processes, Melita has led the success of many of AIA’s initiatives which include AIA Vitality programme, enhancements to the My AIA SG app, iSmart app and Claims EZ portal. The initiatives led by her have set best practice standards in the industry for a more sustainable approach to healthcare, and AIA has successfully reduced losses for its health insurance business year after year, with VONB up by 7% in the second half of 2022.