AME's Grand Jury members are award-winning strategic leaders, equipped with extensive experience and insightful perspectives. Their dedication to driving impactful, innovative work not only sets the standard for excellence but also inspires future generations of marketers and advertisers. Their experience brings a wealth of expertise to the judges' table and their thoughtful evaluation will play a crucial role in determining this year's most creative and effective works.

2025 AME Grand Jury member Shaziya Kahn is a brand and communications strategy specialist with significant Indian and South East Asian experience. She began her advertising career when she was a teenager, and as publicity secretary of the Social Service League she conceptualized and created its annual exhibition’s hand painted posters.

Her career spans luxury, grooming, wealth and well-being and Shaziya has worked with global brands such as De Beers, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg’s, Godrej, Zydus, Kotak and AMFI (Association of Mutual Funds of India). After almost a decade in account management, a thirst for thought leadership led her into strategic planning. She is the first Indian to win the Jay Chiat Grand Prix, APG, and IPA awards for strategy. Shaziya has also contributed to the book Luxury Market in India: Maharaja to Masses. Her professional accolades include three WPP Global Atticus Awards for ‘original thinking in marketing communication’, as well as AME and Effie awards. She has been a jury member at many prestigious national and international awards.

Shaziya has contributed pieces for business publications including Business Standard, Business World, Hindu Business Line, Financial Express, and for branding publications like Ad Map and WPP Brandz India Reports. Most recenty Shaziya has most recently authored a book of mindful moments "Have Biscut - an ode to sweet everyday moments" (Available on Amazon).

Shaziya shares her insights on what defines award-winning result-driven work and why effectiveness competitions are important within the industry.

AME Awards: From your perspective as a creative strategist, what standout qualities define award-winning, effective advertising today?

Stand out qualities are that such advertising is simple and fresh. It can potentially resonate universally, no matter where it might originate.

AME Awards: Why are effectiveness competitions like the AME Awards essential for measuring impact and industry growth?

Measuring impact and industry growth needs to be done regularly and with high quality benchmarks - which premium award competitions enable. Also, ongoing peer review, reflection on the work matters – for the industry to stay curious, learn from the best, sowing the seeds for future progress.