The two-day festival will offer attendees a compelling programme of seminars and discussions, networking opportunities and a gala awards presentation honouring clients and their agencies for marketing strategies that deliver solid results that transform businesses and brands.

Some of the world’s top marketing gurus will take to the stage to share fresh insights into brand strategy and effectiveness. This year’s speakers include: Cheuk Chiang, chief executive officer, Asia Pacific, PHD; Chris Thomas, chairman and CEO for BBDO Asia, Middle East and Africa and chairman of Proximity Worldwide, BBDO Proximity; James Thompson, chief marketing officer, Diageo Asia Pacific; Leanne Cutts, vice president, marketing, Asia Pacific, Kraft Foods; Nayantara Bali, vice president, Procter & Gamble Asia; Marc Mathieu, senior vice president marketing, Unilever; Norm Johnston, global digital leader, Mindshare Worldwide; Rex Wong, vice president, marketing, Asia Pacific, Anheuser-Busch InBev; Tim Broadbent, global effectiveness director, Ogilvy & Mather; Tom Doctoroff, North Asia CEO, JWT; Tony Wright, chairman, Lowe + Partners; and many more world-class names. The full festival programme is available to view online with details of all the seminars and speakers.

A panel of 35 industry experts from around Asia-Pacific, chaired by James Thompson, chief marketing officer of Diageo Asia Pacific, have convened in Shanghai and are currently discussing the 115 shortlisted entries against stringent criteria to determine the winners of the prestigious Asian Marketing Effectiveness Awards trophies. Uniting creativity with effectiveness, the awards honour the role of innovative strategy as well as creative craftsmanship in achieving results. This year a record 971 entries from 21 countries have been submitted.

"The outstanding content programme together with the unveiling of the best effective pieces of brand communication makes the Asian Marketing Effectiveness Festival a must-attend event for those interested in driving marketing excellence across Asia-Pacific," commented Tim Waldron, managing director of Haymarket Asia, who with Lions festivals, jointly organise the event.

The festival will be held at the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai on 26 and 27 April. The awards ceremony gala dinner will take place on Friday, 27 April at which the winners of the 2012 Asian Marketing Effectiveness Festival will be announced. Delegates to the festival automatically gain entry to the awards allowing them to network and celebrate with their peers.

For further information on the festival or to register to attend, please go to www.ame.asia.