Author: Zeng Jun, Wu Wanhong 

Publisher:  Guangzhou Daily  

Date: March 12, 2025

The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao International Advertising Festival Awards Ceremony for College Students took place on March 10th in Guangzhou, marking a significant leap forward for the competition. Originally known as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Student Advertising Festival, it was upgraded in 2024 to include international entries, attracting submissions from Southeast Asia, the United States, and other regions.

(At the festival)

This year's festival received an impressive 3,500 creative submissions from students across various institutions, including notable entries from Jinan University, Shenzhen University, South China University of Technology, and Guangdong University of Finance and Economics. The theme for this year’s competition was Creating the Future with the Energy of the Great Bay Area.

The festival was co-hosted by Jinan University and the Guangdong Advertising Association, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Advertising Industry Association and the Macao Advertising Chamber of Commerce. In partnership with Jinan University’s School of Journalism and Communication and Guangzhou Shengda Advertising Group Co., Ltd., the event brought together professional judges from the advertising industry and academia to evaluate the students' works.

(At the award ceremony)

The awards ceremony buzzed with excitement as students presented their projects while judges provided scores and feedback. The panel featured industry luminaries, including Wu Jinjun, the chief representative of the Greater China region for the New York International Advertising Festival, alongside educators and experts from various fields. This diverse lineup ensured comprehensive evaluation, fostering a vibrant environment for creative exchange.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Innovation and Creativity Award, which was awarded to Chen Huahua, Li Mingyu, and Yao Yulin from South China University of Technology for their project titled “True Love, Make Every Mouth Fresh.” Their work stood out among the competition, showcasing exceptional creativity and innovation.

Looking ahead, the festival organizers announced plans to further deepen strategic partnerships with enterprises, aiming to unearth more emerging creative talents in the advertising industry. The festival will continue to embrace broader propositions, practical resources, and an international outlook, nurturing the next generation of advertising professionals.