Great showing by India companies at the shortlist stage of the Warc Prize for Asian Strategy

40 entries have been shortlisted for the 2014 Warc Prize for Asian Strategy. The Grand Prix for the region’s best strategy case study carries a $5,000 cash prize, plus five further Special Awards of $1,000 each. Now in its fourth year, the Prize received more than 180 entries in 2013, a record high for the competition.

Shortlisted entries came from 11 different markets around Asia, and from a mix of major networks and local independents. For the fourth year running, India supplied the largest number of shortlisted entries with 19 of the 40 shortlisted, well ahead of China (5) and the Philippines (4).

The judging panel, made up of senior client-side marketers and agency-side strategy experts, is currently deciding which entries will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze awards, and which will take home the cash prizes. Their picks will be announced at an event in Singapore on 6th November.

This year’s Prize chairman is Freddy Bharucha, Chief Marketing Officer for Procter & Gamble Asia.

“I will be looking for truly breakthrough heart- or mind-opening ideas, inspired by deep human insights of the target audience,” said Bharucha. “The ideas and execution must be brilliant in driving the brand’s strategy, equity and benefits (emotional and functional), and give the brand a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

The full shortlist can be viewed on the Prize website.