On November 16, a quiet, ceremonious gathering took place in Moscow as part of the National Advertising Forum, where the winners of the Red Apple international advertising festival were officially announced by the festival’s press service. The ceremony celebrated a robust tally of awards: 13 gold, 32 silver, and 70 bronze distinctions, complemented by 2 grand awards and 15 special honors granted to outstanding campaigns and creative teams from around the world.
Festival President Elena Zapol extended warm congratulations to the victors and expressed gratitude to the organizing teams for their dedication in hosting the festival. She emphasized that the jury maintained a high international standard despite the challenges faced in the year, noting that judges from 30 countries reviewed the submissions, engaging in rigorous discussions and ultimately selecting the strongest entries across diverse categories.
Speaking about the festival’s trajectory, Zapol described the 33rd edition as a hub of bold ideas, meaningful networking, and a vibrant exchange of experiences, all while offering participants a deep immersion into the evolving landscape of content creation and creative—often transformative—advertising. She also conveyed hope that the festival will continue to expand in scale and diversity in the following year, inviting broader participation from the global advertising community.
Shreyas Safe, who serves as Managing Director and Co-Founder of Hybrid INSEA India and chairs the MEDIA Block Jury, highlighted the role of festivals like Red Apple as driving forces for the entire advertising ecosystem. He noted that these events catalyze innovation, unite talent across disciplines, and help shape the future of advertising technology. Participating in the jury gave him valuable insights into the unique characteristics of the Russian advertising market, strengthening cross-border understanding and collaboration.
In a contrasting perspective, Christina Denina, creative director at Contrapunto and BBDO CA, remarked that the festival provides a platform to showcase original, creative solutions and to observe peers’ achievements. She described Red Apple as the culmination of the festival season and expressed happiness at having content that would make a meaningful impression on colleagues in 2023. She pointed to the presence of strong, lively projects throughout the event, underscoring the high quality of work on display.
Observers noted that this year’s lineup included numerous campaigns focusing on the revival of culture and its relevance in the modern era, the broad promotion of art, attention to social issues, and campaigns that were both creatively ambitious and effectively executed for brands. These trends reflected a broader shift toward culturally resonant storytelling and responsible messaging within commercial communications.
Olga Makarova, head of the Avito advertising agency group, commented that socially important topics continue to touch audiences on a personal level. She underscored the importance of consistently addressing real-world themes and translating them into genuine narratives and ambitious projects. Makarova suggested that sometimes the best approach is to ground campaigns in tangible, authentic ideas rather than pursuing fantastical concepts, ensuring that the core message resonates with viewers and communities alike.