Our 2020 Judges

Joe Maglio - Chief Judge

CEO, McKinney

Joe has a track record of pushing brands to be bigger and better. He joined McKinney in 2017 from Havas New York, where he was managing director responsible for clients like TD Ameritrade, Dos Equis, NetJets, and Danone. Prior to that, he worked at Publicis, as SVP and group account director for Citibank, and at Ogilvy, as partner and marketing director working on Dupont and Time Warner Cable. Now, at McKinney, Joe’s focus is on attracting clients who need to unleash their brand’s untapped potential. In just the last year, he led the agency to three high-profile wins, landing the Choice Hotels account, being tapped to launch creative for the new Netflix documentary offering, and Little Caesars naming McKinney as its agency of record. An entrepreneur at heart, in 2017, he co-founded a food concept in Yankee Stadium called The Mozzarella Joint, which now focuses on serving at charity events to raise money for causes such as No Kid Hungry. He is also passionate about giving back and serves on the board of the charity Hoodies for the Homeless. Joe is a graduate of Colgate University.  

Jeff Honea

Creative Director, National Geographic

Jeff Honea is a creative director and writer at the National Geographic Society where he directs and writes content and creative executions in support of the Society’s nonprofit work to protect 30% of the planet by 2030. Jeff has won several creative awards, including a 2018 Webby for best home page, and was part of the team that received a Silver Obie last year for work for the National Geographic Museum.

Prior to National Geographic, he worked in creative and marketing positions at the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and spent many years at The New York Times where he was creative director/copy, and help create its “These Times Demand The Times” brand campaign. 

A graduate of the University of Arkansas, he lives in Washington, D.C.

Seth Jacobs

Executive Creative Director, Anonmaly

A born and raised Brooklynite Seth cut his teeth in the production world. Before coming to advertising he was a screenwriter and filmmaker in the Indy film scene in NYC.

From 2006 - 2012 Seth worked as ECD at Translation running the State Farm account as well as Coke Zero, McDonald’s and the Brooklyn Nets.

Since joining Anomaly in 2012, Seth has run the Dick’s Sporting Goods business launching Hell Week on ESPN and creating the Sports Matters platform. He currently runs Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ally, Smartwater, Crown Royal, Bulleit Bourbon, and Captain Morgan for Diageo business.

Rodrigo Jatene

Chief Creative Officer, Grey West

Rodrigo Jatene is Chief Creative Officer of Grey West, where he oversees the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices as a unified region for Grey Group, being responsible for the overall vision, culture, product and growth of the agency on the West Coast.

Jatene also runs Grey’s Regional Creative Council in North America and is member of the agency’s Global Creative Board. 

Jatene is also one of the very few people in the industry to achieve in 4 different opportunities a Cannes Gold Lion followed by a Gold Effie for the same project: ‘Corruption Detector’ in 2018, ‘The Colour of Corruption’ in 2017, ‘Bentley Burial’ in 2014 and ‘My Blood is Red & Black’ in 2013. With over 20 years of experience, he has created campaigns for brands of almost every industry, working in agencies like Leo Burnett Tailor Made, DM9DDB, AgenciaClick, EURO RSCG, McCann Erickson Madrid and Wunderman Brazil. 

Julia Morra

Creative Director, Cossette

Julia Morra is a Creative Director with a background in art direction and design. She has been recognized by The One Show, Clios, Communications Arts, The Webbys, Cannes Young Lions, D&AD, The LIAAs, and just about every domestic show in Canada. Her campaigns have been featured on CNN and The Tonight Show. Julia has led national brands in the QSR, automotive, retail, and financial categories, as well as not-for-profit accounts. She is drawn to ideas that live beyond the boundaries of traditional advertising.

Kelly Peppers

CEO, Colossal Media

Kelly Peppers is the CEO of Colossal Media, the Brooklyn-based company celebrated for reviving hand painted outdoor advertising. Through 10+ years of relentless commitment to creativity, storytelling, and authenticity, she has grown Colossal’s specialized business and championed the craft of hand painted murals. Prior to Colossal, Kelly sold and marketed print, radio, and events at CBS and Billboard Magazine.

Julie Ruiz

Creative + Design Director, VICE

Julie Ruiz is an award-winning creative and design director with more than fifteen years of leadership, branding, design, photography and advertising experience in the entertainment, music and broadcast industries. She is currently Creative & Design Director at VICE and a music photographer for A Horse With No Name.