ADFEST 2026 returns to Pattaya this March, celebrating Asia-Pacific’s creative brilliance with global account wins, cultural resonance, and social impact. Jurors including Ajay Vikram, Tania Singh Khosla and Sasaki highlight creativity’s power to surprise, empathise and travel across borders, reinforcing ADFEST’s role as a beacon of regional innovation.
In March 2026, the creative world will once again turn its gaze towards Pattaya, Thailand, as ADFEST convenes its annual celebration of Asia-Pacific’s branding and marketing communications. This year’s edition, themed Human+, promises not only a showcase of the region’s finest creative work but also a deeper exploration of how context, culture and innovation intersect to shape ideas that resonate globally.
The Asia-Pacific region has long been recognised as one of the fastest-moving and most diverse creative landscapes in the world. Its dynamism is reflected in strong business results, global account wins, and campaigns that have entered pop culture while driving social impact across communities. For Ajay Vikram, a respected voice in the industry, this context is everything. “Great creativity doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it’s the context that gives it meaning,” he observed. “And when that context is the fastest moving, most innovative and diverse region in the world, the lens through which we judge the best work is everything. Simply put, the best work in APAC, as seen by the people who understand APAC best.”
This emphasis on context is echoed by Tania Singh Khosla, Founder and Creative Director of TSK Design, a studio acclaimed for its brand and graphic design inspired by India’s evolving identity. For Khosla, the balance between tradition and modernity, between Indian and global aesthetics, is a powerful catalyst for creativity. “I especially look forward to seeing the best of creative work that is specifically Asia focused,” she said. “The culture, context, aesthetics and market here is unique and I’m keen to see how the work will reflect this. Equally, the opportunity to engage with fellow jurors from across the region, and to learn from their diverse perspectives and insights, will enrich our dialogue around contemporary design in Asia.”
Her words underline a central truth: Asia’s creative industries are not merely adapting to global trends but are actively shaping them. The region’s designers, agencies and brands are producing work that is deeply rooted in local culture yet capable of travelling across borders, resonating with audiences far beyond its origin.
Sasaki, another juror, offered a perspective that bridges philosophy and practice. “I believe the highest form of creativity is work that creates discontinuous change – work that shifts reality,” he said. “Such work moves people deeply. In other words, it produces both surprise and empathy. It makes us feel something unexpected, and it makes us recognise something true. And it also travels. The strongest ideas can be shared effortlessly—passed from one person to another—and can often be adapted and applied beyond their original purpose, extending their impact over time.”
This notion of creativity as both disruptive and empathetic captures the spirit of ADFEST. It is not simply about producing campaigns that win awards; it is about crafting ideas that change perceptions, inspire communities, and leave a legacy.
ADFEST itself has grown into a beacon of Asian creativity. Held from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 March 2026 at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya, the festival offers an unparalleled combination of learning, inspiration and networking. Delegates can expect industry forums, breakout sessions, cultural exchanges and multi-event awards, all designed to foster dialogue and collaboration. At its heart, ADFEST remains a place to meet, to be inspired, and to celebrate the diversity of Asian cultures.
What sets ADFEST apart is its commitment to nurturing the creative industry across Asia-Pacific and the MENA region. As a not-for-profit entity, it invests in the growth of talent and ideas rather than commercial gain. Its credibility is reinforced by its inclusion in global creative rankings: one of only seven regional festivals in the WARC Creative 100 Rankings, one of twelve awards in the Campaign Brief Asia Rankings, and one of twenty-two awards in The Drum World Creative Rankings. These accolades highlight its stature as a festival that not only celebrates creativity but also sets benchmarks for excellence.
The theme Human+ is particularly resonant in 2026. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, automation and artificial intelligence, the festival’s focus on humanity underscores the enduring importance of empathy, culture and context in creative work. It is a reminder that while tools and platforms evolve, the essence of creativity remains rooted in human experience.
The Asia-Pacific region, with its vast diversity of languages, traditions and markets, offers fertile ground for such exploration. From India’s vibrant visual culture to Japan’s minimalist aesthetics, from Thailand’s storytelling traditions to Australia’s bold campaigns, the region’s creative output reflects a kaleidoscope of influences. Yet what unites them is a shared commitment to innovation and impact.
ADFEST 2026 will provide a stage for this diversity, showcasing work that not only entertains but also drives change. Campaigns that have entered pop culture, sparked conversations, and delivered social impact will be celebrated alongside those that have achieved global account wins and business growth. The festival will highlight how creativity in Asia is not confined to advertising but extends to design, branding, digital engagement and cultural storytelling.
For delegates, the event is more than an awards ceremony. It is an opportunity to engage with peers, to learn from jurors like Vikram, Khosla and Sasaki, and to immerse themselves in the dialogue around contemporary creativity. The conversations will range from the philosophical to the practical, from the role of empathy in design to the strategies for winning global accounts.
Ultimately, ADFEST 2026 is a reminder that creativity is both local and global. It is shaped by the context of Asia-Pacific, with its rapid growth and cultural richness, but it also travels, influencing audiences worldwide. The festival’s role as a beacon of creativity lies in its ability to celebrate this duality: rooted in culture, yet open to change; grounded in tradition, yet embracing innovation.
As registrations open and anticipation builds, the creative community looks forward to three days of inspiration, dialogue and celebration in Pattaya. ADFEST 2026 will not only showcase the best of Asia-Pacific creativity but also reaffirm the region’s place at the forefront of global innovation. In the words of Sasaki, the strongest ideas are those that surprise, empathise and travel—and ADFEST remains the stage where such ideas come to life.
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