JUDGES

Maroon 5 have released two multi-platinum studio albums scored a string of hit singles won three Grammy Awards, and sold 15 million albums around the world. In September 2010 the Los Angeles quintet released its third-studio album, Hands All Over, collaborating with veteran studio wizard Robert John “Mutt” Lange.

Maroon 5 first hit it big in 2002 with Songs About Jane, which went quadruple platinum and spawned four hit singles: #1 “This Love”, the Top 5 “She Will Be Loved,” as well as “Harder to Breathe” and “Sunday Morning.” Its success cemented their status as a world-class rock band and led to a 2005 Grammy Award win for “Best New Artist.” They followed up Songs About Jane with Acoustic, a collection of unplugged songs, and Live: Friday the 13th , which earned them a second Grammy.

In May 2007, Maroon 5 released It Won’t Be Soon Before Long, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, selling nearly half a million copies its first week of release. The album featured several hits, including “If I Never See Your Face Again” and “Makes Me Wonder,” which earned them their third Grammy.

Along the way, Maroon 5 toured the world, including a sold-out headlining tour of the U.S., during which they partnered with environmental action organization Reverb to reduce their carbon footprint. Known for their commitment to the environment, Maroon 5 also became members of the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and were honored at the 2006 Environmental Media Awards and have pledged both time and energy toward Global Cool, an initiative launched to fight global warming by motivating a billion people worldwide to reduce their personal energy use.

JIMMY SIEGEL

is a multi-threat creative force who has enjoyed an eclectic and successful career as a best-selling author, award-winning Mad Man, and political campaign creative director. Jimmy spent over 20 years at Madison Ave ad agency BBDO, beginning as a junior copywriter and ultimately becoming vice chairman and senior executive creative director. His work at BBDO for brands including Visa, Pepsi and Schwab garnered numerous Clios and Cannes Lion awards as well as three Emmy Nominations. Siegel has written 4 best-selling novels Epitaph, Detour, Deceit and Derailed (which was adapted into a feature film starring Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston.) Jimmy’s most recent career endeavor has been in the world of politics, creating the campaign advertising for Hilary Clinton’s presidential run, Eliot Spitzer’s successful NY gubernatorial race, Chris Koster’s election to Missouri Attorney General, NY State Senate Democrats (who returned to the majority for the first time in over 50 years) and a host of other state and national campaigns.

LASSE HALLSTROM

is the critically acclaimed Swedish-born film director who first came to international prominence with My Life as a Dog, earning Oscar nominations for directing and writing. He realized his first American success with What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and has since gone on to establish himself as a heavyweight Hollywood director with an impressive filmography including The Shipping News, The Hoax, Something to Talk About, Dear John, and Casanova. Lasse earned a Best Director Oscar nomination for Cider House Rules and then later directed the well-received film Chocolat, both of which were nominated for Best Picture. Hallstrom learned his craft directing music videos, most notably for ABBA, and currently directs commercials through NYC’s Rascal Films in addition to his feature work.

CHRISTINA THOMAS

is a founding member of BAFTA New York. She has overseen the growth of the New York based BAFTA chapter to over 700 members today and from 20 film screenings in 1996 to closer to 100 per year now. She served as Chairman until March 2007, when she was selected by the Board to become BAFTA NY’s first Chief Executive. Christina has been involved in the field of international television with major corporations and independent producers in the UK and the US for many years. She has run British and US companies in London and New York and worked on co-productions, selling and buying television programs for the domestic and international markets, primarily in the documentary, drama, music and children’s areas.

CHUCK McBRIDE

is the founder and Executive Creative Director of independently owned advertising agency Cutwater in San Francisco. Chuck has led the creative teams and crafted stories for many of the world’s biggest and most well-known brands including Nike, Levis, Ray Ban, LensCrafters, Jeep, Lexus, Got Milk?, Isuzu, Fox Sports, Sony Playstation and Adidas among others. As Creative Director at Wieden & Kennedy, he oversaw all creative development for Nike, running Tiger Woods Golf, Jordan Brand and the relaunch of Just Do It. At TBWA/Chiat Day he helped win and then ran the Adidas account, winning Agency of the Year in ’08 - an award he helped FCB win in ’97. Creativity Magazine named Chuck one of the 50 most influential creative people in advertising and Adweek has twice named him a creative all-star. McBride has won many many awards including an Emmy, Clios, Cannes Lions and the coveted Adidassler Partner of the Year Award. You can see much of his work in the permanent collection of NYC’s Museum of Modern Art.

DAVID J FOSTER

is an Australian-born producer of Broadway & Off Broadway shows, concerts and tours. His Broadway credits include The Pee-wee Herman Show (2010) Slava’s Snowshow (2009 Tony nomination), and Kiki & Herb Alive on Broadway (2007 Tony nomination). Foster also produced We are Plastic Ono Band (featuring Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Bette Midler and Yoko Ono); Jerry Springer: The Opera in Concert, Rufus Wainwright Sings Judy Garland (2009 Grammy nomination), Family Guy Sings!, Kiki & Herb are Dead; and Kevin Smith’s Silent Bob Speaks. His Off-Broadway credits include Puppetry of the Penis, The JAP Show, 21 Dog Years, and Sing-a-Long Sound of Music. He also produced feature film The Craic and the Australian Comic Relief tv specials.