TBWA\HAKUHODO is pleased to announce that Takahiro Hosoda, Chief Creative Officer, and Yuhei Ito, Head of Design, have been selected as jury members for MAD STARS 2026 (Busan International Marketing Advertising Festival), the international advertising awards held annually in Busan, South Korea.

 

MAD STARS is dedicated to awarding outstanding marketing, advertising, and digital content excellence from around the world, across a diverse range of categories. At MAD STARS 2026, Hosoda will serve as a member of the “Final Jury”, taking part in the final judging rounds held on-site in Busan. Ito has been selected as a “Previous Jury” member and will participate in the preliminary judging process.

 

Reflecting on the name “MAD” which stands for Marketing, Advertising, and Digital , Hosoda commented, refering to the meaning of the word in colloquial English.

 

“Absurd. Crazy.”   

That is what the word “mad” stands for.  

In today’s world, I believe this is the highest form of praise.

 

What truly entertains, surprises, and moves people comes from madness.  

It’s those ideas that refuse to be confined by convention.

 

No matter how intelligent AI becomes, this kind of thinking is not something it can easily replicate.

 

Through this judging process, I look forward to encountering bold, unconventional, and truly mad ideas, especially those emerging from across Asia.

 

The festival and the announcement of award winners are scheduled to take place in August 2026. 

 

About MAD STARS 
MAD STARS is an international marketing, advertising, and digital content festival held annually in Busan, South Korea. The festival brings together entries from around the world and recognizes creative excellence across a wide range of categories, serving as a global platform for the creative and communications industries.