Our first female ad genius comes from Thailand. Jureeporn Thaidumrong, known as Judee, is the owner of JEH United, the country�s most awarded agency. She is probably the most powerful creative woman in Asia, perhaps from the whole world. Asked if she had to fight harder to become a creative executive, she answered elegantly:
" It�s not true that women in Asia have a harder time getting to the higher echelons of the ad business. I actually think women here have more opportunities than in North America or Europe. In Thailand for example, there are many female creative directors. And that�s not only true in creative departments. You see lots of senior management and CEO positions being occupied by women. And it�s true all over."
Judee started at Grey and passed through Y&R, Leo Burnett, DDB and Results, an Ogilvy hot shop. There, she met Neil French, the Asian british guru, and her career gave a jump. She started to win awards and was named ECD at Saatchi & Saatchi and after at McCann until opening her own business. JEH�s work, like most from Thailand, is very imaginative , smart and unique, maybe looking a bit weird for the average western eye.
Altough most consider Judee a phenomenon, some people think she wins awards more easily than most of people, because she is woman and asian. Check out her portfolio and decide by yourself.
Ad Genius 4: Jureeporn Thaidumrong.
Country: Thailand.
Agencies: Grey, Y&R, Leo Burnett, DDB, Results, Saatchi & Saatchi, McCann, JEH United.
At Cannes: 11 lions, 4 gold.
Strong points: Visual tricks (print) and humour (film).
