Meet the judges of The Drum Awards. We rejoice the most productive in brand-building and artistic technique, and our Judge of the Day collection provides you with a better take a look at the professionals at the back of our prestigious panels. Get to grasp the trade leaders who acknowledge excellence in advertising.
Today we highlight Jon Stona, vp of world advertising at Airwallex and Judge for The Drum Awards APAC. Jon brings a pointy, international viewpoint from previous management roles at Stripe and Google, now making use of that have to force model and expansion at certainly one of fintech’s fastest-scaling platforms. A member of the XA Network and an energetic investor in early-stage Southeast Asian startups, Jon is a believer in advertising’s energy to force industry no longer simply consciousness. He holds an MBA from Stanford and a bachelor’s stage from Harvard.
What is a very powerful problem you face nowadays as a marketplace chief?
The maximum vital problem that I face is ensuring the workforce is in fact in a position to grapple with all of the paradigms that is going down within the trade presently. When you take into consideration one thing like search engine marketing, the similar playbook that is been used for the previous 15 years simply is not going to chop it anymore.
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What is the largest problem of keeping up a constant model throughout more than one markets?
I believe the largest problem of keeping up a constant model throughout more than one markets is ensuring that we do not stifle innovation. Because, sure, as marketplace leaders, we wish consistency for the emblem, however we additionally need to be certain that we aren’t too restrictive, in order that in area, other people can actually flourish and push the limits.
What excites you in regards to the position of CMOs as it’s evolving?
I believe the position of the CMO, it is an exhilarating time, as a result of I believe many companies are beginning to get up to the truth that advertising is not only a value middle, it is a actual strategic driving force for companies.
How can entrepreneurs higher show their price at C-suite degree?
I believe entrepreneurs can higher show the price on the C-suite degree through essentially talking the language of the industry. It’s no longer about MQLs, SQL pipeline – it is about riding model, riding income, and developing predictable expansion.
In your small business sector, what do you are feeling is essential to making a model that sticks out?
I believe in monetary services and products, the important thing to making a model that sticks out is initially accept as true with. But constructing accept as true with is such an summary thought, and so you must hook up with folks at a human degree. They’re no longer industry decision-makers. They’re people who occur to make industry selections.
What rising developments or applied sciences do you consider may have probably the most important have an effect on on advertising within the subsequent 5 years?
Certainly AI is on everybody’s thoughts, but when I am going again to one thing somewhat extra conventional – video content material is emerging unexpectedly. Think about how LLMs are prioritizing video, and the way that content material is being fed on way over textual content. That’s going to form advertising in a large manner.
If it’s essential spend your finances on any media channel, what wouldn’t it be and why?
It would certainly be YouTube. Because while you construct powerful content material on YouTube, that lives on in perpetuity. You’re no longer simply promoting for a click on – your content material remains there and continues to counterpoint the emblem and in addition builds the industry.
How do you look ahead to the expansion of AI-driven advertising answers will alternate what you do as a marketer someday?
I believe how AI goes to switch advertising goes to be moderately paradoxical, as a result of in some ways, it ranges the taking part in box. But for the reason that taking part in box is degree, I believe what is going to differentiate advertising will return to the basics – storytelling, positioning, and actual insights-driven paintings.
What will have to we be desirous about in the case of the way forward for advertising?
I believe the way forward for advertising presently holds immense doable. I’d simply say be completely daring and remember the fact that as a marketer, you’ve got immense company to force your small business ahead.
Be a part of what’s subsequent at The Drum Awards
The Drum Awards rejoice the boldest concepts, smartest methods and most efficient campaigns from around the world. Enter your paintings for an opportunity to have it reviewed through trade leaders like Jon Stona and earn popularity that strikes the trade ahead. Submissions shut August 6, 2025.
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