A total of 2,685 entries from 21 countries will be competing at this year’s Spikes Asia three-day festival, which kicks off next week in Singapore (www.spikes.asia).

Entries have been submitted in 11 categories: Direct & Sales Promotion (151), Digital (272), Integrated (54), TV/Cinema (310 entries), Print (576), Outdoor (615), Media (230), Radio (62), Design (152), TV/Cinema Craft (53) and Print Craft (210) and will be judged by international and regional industry leaders.

The top country participating is China, with 382 entries, followed by Singapore with 369, Japan 335 and India with 321 entries. Winners will be announced during the Spikes Asia Awards Ceremony next Friday, September 18.

Other awards to be revealed during the ceremony are Agency of the Year, Media Agency of the Year and Network of the Year. The Times of India Group will be honoured with the 2009 Advertiser of the Year.

Philip Thomas, CEO of Cannes Lions and joint organiser with Haymarket of Spikes Asia, said: “While we are in the midst of difficult times, now more than ever awards matter. Not only do they provide inspiration and showcase the best creative work out there, but also bestow important recognition to the people and the agencies involved in the work.”