As the premiere international award recognizing creative excellence on the Internet, The Webby Awards is proud to gather an impressive judging panel of industry titans. Annually, we work with members of the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) to celebrate ingenuity online.
While Webby Awards judges begin to review work from the best creatives online, we’re shining a light on the jurors who make it all possible. A Window Into The Academy is a weekly series highlighting 10 Associate Members—former Webby Winners, Nominees and industry professionals.
Read about what industry expertise they are bringing to the review process, their upcoming projects and more.
Diego Benitez, Art Director, Leo Burnett
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
I’m an Ecuadorian Art Director, Illustrator, and Amateur Musician. I’ve worked in advertising for 10 years in South America and the US with big brand names like Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Purina, and so on. My work has been awarded at Cannes Lions, the One Show, and the Clios, among others.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
Currently working on the Purina Dog Chow Regional Campaign for Mexico, Caribbean Region and South America.
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
Hard to explain, but it involves psychedelia and pets.
Vyoma Gajjar, AI Technical Solution Architect, IBM:
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
I am an AI Technical Solution Architect with over 10 years of experience in generative AI, machine learning, and AI governance. My expertise lies in creating innovative and scalable solutions that combine technical precision with ethical frameworks to address real-world challenges.Throughout my career, I have developed impactful AI systems that enhance user engagement, streamline processes, and prioritize responsible innovation.
As a Webby Awards judge, I bring a unique perspective rooted in the intersection of technology and creativity, aiming to celebrate exceptional digital experiences that blend innovation, inclusivity, and user-centric design.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
I’m currently working on developing robust governance frameworks for generative AI models to ensure ethical and transparent use across industries. I’m also exploring agentic frameworks that empower AI systems to make decisions responsibly and autonomously while aligning with human values and goals.
These projects excite me because they not only enhance the reliability of AI systems but also foster trust among users by prioritizing accountability and ethical design. Additionally, I’m involved in initiatives aimed at addressing real-world challenges, such as reducing financial risks and optimizing operational efficiencies, aligning with my passion for responsible innovation and impactful AI solutions.
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
My personal brainrot online has been cooking reels. I started out so bad in the kitchen that I once managed to burn water. But now, thanks to hours of binge-watching dramatic voiceovers and perfect recipe hacks, I’ve leveled up to the point where I can almost pass for a MasterChef contestant—at least on Instagram. Who knew the secret to great cooking was endless scrolling and a sprinkle of “let’s hope this works”?
Konrad Schosinsky, Art Director, Critical Mass
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
An Art Director with over 15 years of experience in the advertising industry and more than 8 almost exclusive on digital and web. I’ve also been a design teacher for about 5 years.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
Sorry, NDAs.
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
Dark humor and stand-up comedians.
Kim Kelley, Head of Post Production, ELEMENT Productions
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
I have been in the commercial production industry for over 15 years working at production, audio and post production houses servicing a diverse range of clients, including advertising agencies, in-house agencies, corporations, brands and non profits. I currently oversee a talented team of editors, animators, and colorists, integrating external and freelance post resources and vendors into the workflow, working closely with creative and production departments from project inception to completion.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
I’m excited about all the new AI integrations we’re seeing in post production – from using new software tools that can both simplify and amplify ideas to using AI to generate new art and assets to leverage in the work. There are endless opportunities with our clients to find new ways to work with AI and many of our clients have been open to the idea of working with AI instead of against it.
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
I can’t stop talking about and forwarding reels/TikToks about Christmas decoration crafts like building giant strings of colorful lights with coke bottles.
Won J. You, Founder/Head of Design, WJY Studios
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
Hi, I’m Won J. You, and I’ve spent over two decades immersed in the world of design, crafting user-centered experiences for brands like Porsche, Intel, Duracell, The LA Times, and many more. My journey began as a curious designer exploring the intersection of technology and storytelling, and it’s evolved into a career focused on driving meaningful impact through digital product design, branding, and strategy.
I also have a deep passion for education. I was a chief product officer and curriculum director for one of the first design boot camps in the country and I helped shape the next generation of creative leaders, many of whom are now thriving at companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon. Today, as founder of Won J. You Studios, I continue to explore new frontiers, embracing tools like generative AI to push the boundaries of creativity.
Joining the IADAS, I bring a passion for recognizing work that not only solves business needs but inspires us all on the possibility of good creativity and execution. I’m excited to contribute a designer’s lens, a strategist’s mindset, and an educator’s heart to celebrate and elevate the best of the web.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
Without giving too much away, I’m working with a start-up called Aris, which is an AI-driven personal relationship advisor and life coach. Being able to work at the forefront of AI, and creating digital product experiences that can help people in their personal lives is very rewarding and creatively challenging.
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
I’m forever doom scrolling on TikTok, and I can’t help but get sucked into history toks about empires of the past or discovering new restaurants or foods I need to seek out.
Michelle Merriwether, Founder and CEO, Mogul Mindset Inc.
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
I am honored to join the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences as a 2024 Webby Award Judge. With over 20 years in Corporate America, I retired early at 46 after serving as Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Sales. Post-retirement, I expanded my company, Mogul Mindset Metaverse Strategists, into the technology sector, earning a Webby nomination as a pioneer in AI and the metaverse.
In addition to entrepreneurship, I became a community activist, focusing on workforce development and serving as a commissioner in Michigan. My journey reflects a commitment to innovation, leadership, and community impact, which I bring proudly to the Academy.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
I am currently working on several exciting projects. In addition to being the co-host of the virtual reality live-streaming podcast Queens Talk Gossip, I’m preparing to launch my new podcast, Celebrity Cougar Chronicles, which will explore celebrity culture, women’s issues, and mental health in an engaging format. I actively support the Virtual Women’s Alliance (VWA), headquartered in Meta Horizon Worlds, which fosters opportunities for women in the extended reality space. Furthermore, I proudly serve as President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, where I’ve been a member for 34 years, leading impactful community initiatives.”
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
My personal brainrot online has to be the “relationship astrology” side of TikTok. I can’t stop watching videos where creators dive into astrological compatibility or break down zodiac signs’ quirks in love. They’re so hilariously spot-on (or hilariously wrong), especially when they dissect Aquarius dynamics. Another guilty pleasure? Any account analyzing pop culture and celebrity gossip—those rabbit holes never fail to pull me in!
Alexandre Ciampi Fittipaldi, Executive Creative Director, Monks
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
In 2004, I co-founded Cricket Brasil, a digital production company based in São Paulo that earned international recognition for crafting innovative digital experiences for some of the world’s leading ad agencies and brands.
In 2016, Cricket Brasil merged with MediaMonks, and I brought over 13 years of industry experience to help build a global hub for the company’s experiential work. My focus has been on pushing the boundaries of what’s possible—working on everything from cutting-edge technologies like mixed reality and artificial intelligence for large-scale physical experiences to virtual events that redefine engagement.
As a partner and Executive Creative Director, I lead creative teams across multiple countries and manage multi-million-dollar campaigns for global clients such as Google, IBM, Amazon, Meta, Disney, Nike, Samsung, AT&T, Old Spice, Nissan, and many more. My goal is to create digital strategies that amplify marketing efforts and deliver unforgettable experiences to audiences around the world.”
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
I am deeply passionate about innovation and crafting immersive experiences that seamlessly blend technology with storytelling. My goal is to create moments that evoke genuine emotions, leaving audiences with unforgettable connections to the brand.
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
I’m completely hooked on the world of AI-generated chaos. Whether it’s SpongeBob and Patrick debating existential philosophy, Mario explaining his skincare routine, or fictional characters like Harry Potter trying to survive in GTA—these clips have me in a chokehold. They’re nonsensical, absurdly funny, and yet strangely coherent, which makes them so addictive.
Katie Riggs, Group Account Director, Paradowski Creative
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
Over the past 10 years I’ve built and led teams that execute creative brilliance on behalf of our clients, particularly in the arts, agriculture, healthcare, and travel. I love the constant evolution, and sometimes reinvention, of how we connect — as humans, and as brands trying to be human.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
Lately our team continues to maintain and explore what it means for our client’s brands to be culturally relevant online — through social, influencer, gaming, and other experiences. I love falling deeply into learning and testing what’s next.
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
I’m a fan of a good rabbit hole — whether it’s Legal TikTok explaining what’s going on with the YSL trial, or Theater TikTok obsessing over Jessica Vosk’s Elphaba, I love going all in on an internet moment.
Sourav Kumar, Principle Engineer, VMware by Broadcom
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
I am an accomplished engineering leader with more than 14 years of experience in building professional software and leading large scale products in renowned companies such as Meta, Nutanix, VMware, Amazon, and Google. Currently, I’m leading the NSX datastore product at VMware by Broadcom, architecting a scalable, highly performant and secure data platform serving NSX (Network virtualization solution) across multiple platforms.
Prior to VMware, I designed and built Meta’s machine learning data processing platform services ground up that served the vast variety of ML training jobs across Meta AI ecosystem. In the past, I have built a highly performant and scalable data query platform ground up at Nutanix. I have led VMware HA (high availability) group providing high availability to virtual machines against compute, storage or network failures. My expertise is in enterprise cloud, distributed systems, databases, data platform, scalable backend solutions, monitoring, observability, performance, virtualization and so on.
Apart from enterprise cloud products, I have also led consumer facing products such as WhatsApp calling and iGoogle middleware impacting billion of users directly.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
Currently, I’m leading the NSX datastore products at VMware by Broadcom, architecting a scalable, highly performant and secure data platform
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
I love connecting with nature and re-plug myself time to time to the state of realization, appreciation and gratitude.
Seth Akkerman, Senior Creative Technologist Lead, Instrument
Who are you and what expertise do you bring to The Academy?
I am a creative technologist (aka creative director, aka product designer) and pizza advocate who likes to laugh with people. I have an insatiable curiosity and a desire to leave things better than I found them. Successful design is a strategic soup with equal parts research, empathy, collaboration, and guts. I’m inspired by companies trying to make the world a better place and hope to contribute the same.
What projects are you working on or you’re excited about working on?
Most are NDA protected, but generally I’m working with our clients to imaging the future of interaction engagement.
For this season’s Webby Talks, we’re exploring brainrot and the rise of digital absurdism. What’s your personal brainrot online?
Even though I don’t care to see people in pain, I do enjoy the kookslams instagram account.
Give Your Work A Stamp Of Approval By Industry Titans
Winners in the Webby Awards are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, our judging academy that represents the digital industry’s foremost Artists, Creative Directors, Game Developers, CMOs, Designers, Creators, Filmmakers, Founders, Innovators, CCOs, Podcasters, and Producers. To have your work seen by them, enter by the Final Entry Deadline on Friday, December 20, 2024.
