By Jeromy Lloyd

The ICE Awards, which celebrates excellence in Atlantic Canadian advertising, has released a jury list packed with senior-level talent.

Leading this year's judging panel is Zak Mroueh, creative director and founder of Zulu Alpha Kilo. His fellow judges include:

• Tracey Fellows, vice-president, marketing, Holt Renfrew

• Jane Murray, CD, Ogilvy

• Sam Cerullo, CD, Leo Burnett

• Ian Mackellar, CD, Bensimon Byrne

• Lance Martin, CD, Taxi Toronto

"I think the incredible judges we're attracting is a reflection of the quality of work in Atlantic Canada," said Jenny Smith, creative group head at St. John's-based Target and creative judging co-chair, in an e-mail to Marketing. "Zak is one of the world's top creatives and he's put together a like-minded team of phenomenal talent. The fact they're traveling to Newfoundland to help us celebrate the best work in the region is awesome. We can't wait to host once again and send them back home with a ton of East Coast inspiration to soften the inevitable hangovers."

The panel will gather in St. John's in September to assess entries. This will mark the second consecutive year ICE judging has moved outside the award's host city of Halifax, a move designed to broaden the event's appeal throughout the region.

"It's an Atlantic Canadian show, but I think a lot of people look at it as a Halifax show," said Brad Dykema, creative director at Trampoline Branding of the 2009 event. "The biggest part of the industry is [in Halifax], but there's enough going on outside Halifax that it should be broadened. I don't think the region felt ownership over the show before."

This year's award co-chairs are Tyler Macleod, account supervisor at Halifax agency Extreme Group, and Sarah Fitzgerald, media planner at Cossette Atlantic. The pair is considerably younger than past co-chairs, chosen to bring fresh thinking and energy to the 2010 event.