Elevate Your Brand. Showcase Your Innovation

Maestra.io is nominated as Best Marketing Automation Platform for revolutionizing how e-commerce brands automate and scale their customer communications. The context for this nomination is the increasing demand for omnichannel marketing efficiency. Modern marketers juggle email campaigns, SMS alerts, push notifications, pop-ups, and more – often across disjointed tools​. This fragmentation makes it hard to deliver a cohesive message or measure impact. Maestra was built to tackle this challenge head-on by providing a cloud-based marketing automation platform that unites a CDP, loyalty program, site personalization, omnichannel communications, and more into one interface​. Over the past few years, many mid-market e-commerce brands outgrew basic email tools (like Klaviyo) but lacked the tech resources for enterprise systems; Maestra stepped in as the ideal solution, offering drag-and-drop flow building and multi-channel campaign orchestration without coding​. The platform’s ease of use (each client gets a dedicated success manager for implementation) and breadth of capability allow lean marketing teams to launch complex automated journeys that previously required entire departments. In short, Maestra provides the context of a unified, scalable marketing automation hub where all customer touchpoints can be managed intelligently. This nomination recognizes Maestra’s role in enabling brands to do more with less – executing timely, relevant marketing actions at scale, which is the essence of marketing automation. Maestra Platform Customer Testimonials: George Granoff, CEO at REKS “They are designing, delivering, and managing our customer engagement which is resulting in producing 17% of our monthly sales.” Stephanie Bregman, Vice President Marketing at 4ocean “Maestra has become an essential part of our workflow. Its ease of use, reliable performance, and excellent support have exceeded our expectations.” Will Palumbo, Director of Marketing at Enlightened Equipment “I’m very happy with the product overall, and we’re even considering applying Maestra to our second brand as a 2025 project.” Etan Efrati, E-Commerce Manager at Magnum Bikes “We’ve not only significantly boosted our marketing efficiency but also created a cohesive omnichannel experience for our customers.” Kyle Cannon, Marketing Manager at Furniture Fair “Working with Maestra’s CSMs has set a new standard for what I expect from customer success. Instead of the usual monthly check-in and upsell, the collaboration is constant, communication is immediate, and the team is truly invested in our success.” Ceata E. Lash, CEO at PuffCuff “I’m super pleased with what we’ve achieved together and can’t recommend them enough.” Lana, Marketing Manager at Unidragon “Awesome! Effective client engagement, adaptable implementation, and rapid integration.” Jennifer Fenton, Sr Director of Marketing at Jolyn “I switched from Klaviyo and couldn’t be happier. The fee structure is straightforward and the features are already great but they keep adding new ones based on feedback.”

Sergey Kurazhev and his achievements in HR PR and HRM Marketing Over the past three years, the technology market has been characterized by significant changes and challenges, but Sergey Kurazhev’s work at DataArt Armenia has been proof that it is possible to achieve impressive results even in conditions of instability. His achievements are not only large-scale but also qualitative, and we are happy to share their details. Sergey has developed a unique scientific sociological approach, which, thanks to the application of a completely new methodology, has been successfully integrated into the company’s business cases. Unlike traditional methods, this approach allows to rely on scientific data and sound research, which is a highly effective solution in the context of HRM marketing. This innovation has opened new horizons for DataArt Armenia, allowing the company to more consciously and purposefully implement changes that are reflected in measurable business performance. Sergey strives to ensure that all changes recommended within HRM are based on facts and analytical data, which minimizes risks and makes the process of people management more transparent and predictable. This not only improves team performance, but also creates a sustainable foundation for a corporate culture based on respect and trust. Understanding and applying science-based methodologies in HRM marketing allows Sergey to promote changes that affect not only the internal atmosphere in the company, but also its positioning in the labor market. He actively contributes to DataArt’s positive image, thus strengthening the company’s reputation as an employer that values and develops its employees. Despite external challenges and market instability, Sergey’s work is hard to overestimate. His approach to HR management to the DataArt Armenia team has become a role model and best practice in HR PR and HRM marketing. He applied principles that help not only to solve current problems, but also lay the foundation for the future sustainable growth of the company. Taking into account all the above-mentioned factors, we can confidently state that Sergey Kurazhev is the strongest professional on the market. His achievements based on deep understanding and scientific approach to HRM make him a candidate eligible for nomination to the ECDMA Global Awards. We are confident that his successes will not go unnoticed and he will become an example for future HR and marketing professionals around the world.

Polina Varfolomeeva’s nomination for the “Outstanding PR Achievement” award reflects not only her extraordinary capabilities as a legal strategist but also her rare ability to navigate public narratives and regulatory landscapes across high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional environments.

As the Founder and CEO of Ation Law, Polina leads a consultancy that supports media, tech, and creative businesses in over 20 countries. Her approach uniquely combines legal precision with PR foresight—ensuring that organizations under reputational, regulatory, or geopolitical pressure not only survive but maintain operational integrity and public trust.

A standout example of this was her leadership in crafting and executing crisis PR strategies for companies affected by international sanctions. These strategies safeguarded reputations while simultaneously mitigating legal exposure in over 10 key markets. Through coordinated legal-communications frameworks, she helped businesses maintain access to financial services, retain strategic partnerships, and continue international operations—achievements that speak to both legal mastery and reputational resilience.

Polina also brings PR sensibility into the heart of brand architecture. She has successfully structured marketing campaigns in tightly regulated industries like alcohol and tobacco, delivering legally sound yet creatively vibrant campaigns that reached over 3 million users. These campaigns not only complied with varying national advertising laws but were also recognized with multiple industry awards, highlighting her ability to fuse compliance with competitive positioning.

Further demonstrating her cross-functional leadership, Polina has advised on the launch of media platforms, lifestyle venues, and digital products with valuations up to $10M—each requiring a coordinated legal and PR foundation to build credibility, manage public messaging, and support investor relations. Her experience structuring high-profile media deals with global entertainment leaders such as Netflix, Warner Bros., and HBO speaks to her deep involvement in content rights, brand alignment, and stakeholder positioning.

Polina’s excellence lies in her strategic ability to ensure that every public-facing message is not only compelling but legally secure—an essential asset in a world where media exposure, market regulation, and litigation risk are deeply intertwined.

In an industry increasingly shaped by public perception and legal scrutiny, Polina Varfolomeeva exemplifies what it means to lead with clarity, integrity, and cross-border influence. Her achievements position her as a clear frontrunner for the Outstanding PR Achievement award.

Denis Nikolaev is a lead project manager at Headhunter Co. Ltd. (hh.ru), the largest recruitment platform in Eastern Europe. With over 8 years of experience in digital communications and HR technology, he specializes in building scalable solutions across high-impact product environments. In 2024, Denis led the launch of browser-based voice calls on hh.ru — a first in the regional market — enabling real-time employer-candidate communication with integrated analytics. His work has set new industry standards and is now being adapted for platforms across Central Asia. Denis is also a certified Agile trainer, mentor, and speaker in the PM community.

Anastasiia Motorina is an international marketing and branding expert and the founder of The City Seduction (USA), specializing in strategic brand positioning, storytelling, and audience engagement for global markets. With professional experience in high-level communications and event coordination at the Ukrainian Association of Football, she brings strong expertise in cross-cultural communication and premium audience strategy. She is a member of the Ukrainian Marketing Association and the TOP-Marketing Club, and contributes to the industry as an educator, speaker, and author of scientific research on trust-based personal branding. Her work combines marketing strategy, aesthetics, and experience design to help brands and entrepreneurs build credibility, emotional connection, and long-term influence.

Daria Shiian is a strategic brand designer redefining how small and medium businesses leverage branding as a growth engine—not just a visual asset. Her unique contribution to the field lies in developing a data-driven model that quantifies the impact of branding on core business metrics such as revenue growth, customer acquisition, and brand trust. By linking branding investments directly to financial outcomes, Daria has equipped agencies and clients alike with a clear argument for seeing brand development as a strategic investment with measurable ROI.

She also pioneered a system of “premium branding democratization,” enabling local businesses to access high-quality, emotionally rich branding once reserved for large corporations. This approach combines human-centered insight, atmospheric design, multisensory experiences, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to create brands that function as cultural and emotional communities—not just commercial entities.

Among her key innovations is the introduction of multisensory branding and “atmospheric DNA” into visual identity systems, where elements like lighting, music, and spatial design become integral parts of the brand experience. Her “living brand architecture” framework ensures brand identities evolve naturally with changing markets and audience behaviors, minimizing the need for costly rebranding while maintaining cultural relevance.

Furthermore, Daria’s integration of AI-generated mockups into prototyping workflows has cut MVP development time by up to 40%, reduced budgets by 50%, and accelerated time-to-market for startups, helping them secure investment faster. These innovations make her work a reference point for modern brand-building—at once strategic, artistic, and scalable.

Diana Akchurina is being nominated in recognition of her outstanding achievements in elevating the global visibility of her communications agency, Easy Communications, despite operating with limited resources. In 2023, Diana began transitioning the agency’s focus from the Russian market to the international stage. This shift required building global trust and brand recognition without the support of large advertising budgets. Traditionally relying on word-of-mouth and personal referrals, Diana understood the need for a structured and strategic PR approach. Over the past two years, she has successfully positioned herself as a respected expert in tech communications through LinkedIn visibility, international media contributions, professional speaking engagements, and industry jury roles. Her efforts have led to partnerships with global clients, increased media mentions across more than five countries, and recognition of her as a thought leader in cross-border communication strategy.

Serhii Novosel stands at the forefront of global e-commerce, setting a new benchmark for excellence, innovation, and community contribution among Amazon sellers. Over the past seven years, he has transformed the challenges of cross-border retail into engines for growth, scaling multiple Amazon businesses from Ukraine to the United States and redefining what’s possible in today’s hyper-competitive marketplace.

His operational achievements are extraordinary in an industry where just 0.01% of U.S. Amazon Marketplace sellers ever surpass $1 million in annual sales. After relocating to the U.S. amidst the war in Ukraine, Serhii rebuilt from scratch and quickly achieved over $100,000 per month in FBA wholesale sales. These results were independently audited and recognized by AmazonLit—the leading Amazon wholesale seller community in North America—through their $50K and $100K/month verified performance awards, an achievement reached by fewer than 10% of their 1,000+ members.

Serhii’s reputation as a thought leader extends far beyond his business performance. In 2021, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Ukrainian Business Awards (UBA)—one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for founders and executives. This is not an accolade granted lightly; the competition attracts hundreds of accomplished entrepreneurs across sectors, and the selection process is rigorous and highly competitive. Winners are chosen through a combination of peer review, independent evaluation of financial and operational metrics, and assessments of innovation and impact on the business community. For Serhii, securing this title meant standing out not only for outstanding commercial results but also for integrity, vision, and industry-wide influence.

His approach to e-commerce is rooted in rigorous system-building and automation. Serhii developed proprietary procurement and inventory frameworks leveraging spreadsheets, Google Apps Script, and AI-powered analytics, enabling his teams to execute at scale and minimize errors. He is the author of Amazon Wholesale Advantage: Winning Playbook, a tactical guide now used by many aspiring sellers. His strategies for negotiation—such as simulating purchase orders and optimizing global discounts—are recognized case studies in efficiency and margin improvement.

As a community leader, Serhii contributes actively to the top professional networks in Amazon wholesale, including The Wholesale Network’s “Mastermind” tier and the EsellersRI group. He shares tested systems, automation tools, and actionable frameworks that empower sellers worldwide. His role as a featured speaker at the Ukraine Seller Conference and Harper College Business Club in Illinois further amplifies his commitment to education and mentorship.

Serhii’s academic credentials—a U.S.-equivalent Master’s in economic analytics and a Bachelor’s in Economics with honors—equip him to bridge data science with business execution, driving sustainable, year-over-year growth.

In a marketplace where the average seller generates $250,000 annually, Serhii Novosel’s seven-figure, cross-continental businesses and proven leadership distinguish him as a true industry exemplar. His verified results, peer recognition, and national honors—earned in rigorous, highly competitive environments—position him not only as a top seller but as an architect of the future of e-commerce.

One of the unique features of this project was the argumentation of the SEO team’s solutions to the METRO team. Each task was discussed not only from an SEO benefit perspective but also from a business standpoint — how each solution could impact revenue.
This case illustrates the importance of cohesive teamwork. When everyone strives to achieve a common goal, we not only improve and optimize but also work towards business objectives.

We worked on demand, the catalog, and search visibility, achieving results that exceeded our annual plan. In 2024, non-branded SEO traffic to catalog and product pages increased by 27%, while revenue grew by 28%. We calculated revenue based on the entry page — “category|product|dynamic” within a single session.
In December 2024, we recorded a year-over-year traffic increase of 40%, and our forecast for 2025 is already 11% ahead. We have planned even more ambitious goals for 2025 compared to 2024.

In this project, we performed both basic search optimization tasks and came up with ways to scale solutions with minimal effort.
From experience, we know that in e-commerce, it’s crucial to monitor the indexing of pages to ensure that all catalog pages appear in search results. This way, users will see exactly what they are looking for. To achieve this, we set up proper indexing.

Over the past decade, digital advertising has evolved dramatically, but automation in Google Ads management remains a challenge for many businesses. I founded Yakiv Ads to bridge this gap, providing a seamless and efficient automation tool that enables marketers to create and manage Google Ads SKAG campaigns in minutes without technical complexities. My expertise in computer science, digital marketing, and automation led to the development of this solution, helping businesses, agencies, and individual advertisers save time, reduce costs, and enhance campaign performance. In 2024, after extensive testing on over 200 projects, we launched Yakiv Ads as a publicly available tool, revolutionizing PPC management. This nomination recognizes my contributions to marketing automation, AI-driven advertising optimization, and the empowerment of businesses through efficient digital advertising solutions.

Development of fast growing travel tech mobile application with multimillion audience, which has several dynamic content systems for user inspiration and support with journey planning. Within the past 2.5 years: – Developed a solution for integration of external modules with backend-driven UI, allowing for effective scaling of mobile applications. – Developed instagram like stories module with dynamic content system, which greatly increases users retention and engagement. – Designed a new extensible system and reorganised the existing deeplink system, simplifying the integration of various application modules. – Developed and implemented code review standards, introduced innovative practices for code quality assessment, adopted by other teams.
The Tutu.ru app underwent significant redesigns to improve usability. The development team focused on creating a flexible architecture that supports easy updates and maintenance. The app’s design includes 120 screens and 80 user scenarios, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the booking process while minimizing complexity. Users can compare and purchase tickets from various transportation modes, including airlines (e.g., Aeroflot, UTair), trains (e.g., Sapsan), and buses across Russia and Europe. The app provides real-time schedules and allows users to book tickets without long queues. The app boasts a streamlined interface with intuitive navigation, allowing users to complete their bookings in under four minutes. It incorporates user feedback to continuously enhance the experience. In-app customer support is available 24/7, ensuring travelers receive assistance whenever needed.

Semen Semochkin is a seasoned content marketing leader with a strong editorial background shaped at top-tier digital agencies. He honed his craft at the prestigious Bureau Gorbunov, a renowned digital design and editorial studio, where he led innovative publishing projects and upheld high standards of content excellence. Building on this foundation, he transitioned to the marketing technology sector, taking on the role of Editor-in-Chief at Mindbox in 2019. In this capacity, Semochkin transformed a modest corporate blog into a powerhouse content platform that became integral to Mindbox’s business strategy. This context of blending editorial rigor with marketing objectives set the stage for his achievements: by the end of his Mindbox tenure in 2023, the company’s online journal was not just a communications channel, but a key revenue driver and community hub. Now, as a content leader at Maestra (a marketing platform for e-commerce), he continues to apply his content marketing expertise to drive engagement and showcase the value of technology through storytelling. This nomination recognizes the unique circumstances of his career trajectory – from editorial innovation to content marketing excellence – and the way Semochkin has leveraged content to achieve outstanding business outcomes in recent years.

Sergiu Metgher is a technology executive, AI architect, and founder of ReignCode, specializing in large-scale digital transformation for Fortune 500 companies and international enterprises. He has led the development of AI-powered platforms across fintech, retail, and B2B marketplaces, including nationwide financial systems serving more than eight million users and managing over €250 billion in assets.

Sergiu is the creator of multiple enterprise frameworks and platforms, among them SourceMate PIM, an AI-driven product information system that orchestrates millions of SKUs and powers major European marketplaces. His work emphasizes structural modernization, data governance, and the safe deployment of intelligent automation in complex legacy environments.

Alongside his commercial work, Sergiu has founded education and innovation initiatives that have trained more than 100 professionals transitioning into software careers. He is currently pursuing a PhD in International Law focused on AI, ethics, and digital regulation.

Marketing Link exemplifies excellence in full-service digital marketing, delivering measurable growth and strategic innovation to clients worldwide. Since its founding in 2016, the agency has operated with a 100% in-house team, ensuring transparency, agility, and accountability across every project .

With offices in Tampa, Florida, and Kyiv, Ukraine, Marketing Link specializes in performance-driven services including PPC (Google Ads, Microsoft Ads), paid social (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit), SEO, email marketing, and comprehensive analytics setup . Their approach is rooted in data and automation, enabling clients to scale efficiently while entering new markets across the U.S., Canada, and Europe .

Marketing Link’s commitment to results is reflected in glowing client feedback. On Clutch, they maintain a perfect 5.0 rating, with clients praising their ability to “take on challenges and deliver results” and noting significant improvements in SEO and PPC performance .

Beyond execution, the agency provides strategic leadership in digital transformation—offering white-label services to other agencies, unifying analytics across channels, and integrating marketing funnels into CRM systems. Their founder and CEO, Mykola (Nick) Lukashuk, is recognized globally, including membership in the Forbes Business Council .

A transformative AI-driven system that unified sales, support, inventory, and marketing through intelligent automation—saving 40+ hours weekly, boosting forecast accuracy to 92%, and reducing customer response time from hours to seconds. This innovation empowered real-time decision-making and delivered measurable gains in efficiency, revenue, and customer satisfaction.
Developed a centralized AI-driven system for a leading supplier of laboratory equipment. that gathers, processes, and analyzes data from across an entire organization — turning raw data into strategic, coordinated actions.
Think of it like the “brain” of digital operations.
When AI agents (Sales Agent, Marketing Agent, Inventory Agent, Support Agent, Analytics Agent) communicate within a Central Intelligence System like expert teammates, they form an intelligent network where each agent performs a specialized task but shares data and decisions to optimize outcomes across the business. This leads to faster, smarter decisions across the company.

Kateryna Roh is a digital marketing and e-commerce expert with more than five years of experience in performance marketing. She specializes in managing and scaling advertising campaigns aimed at improving the efficiency of digital channels and achieving measurable business results, including work with Google Ads (Search, Display, Shopping, Video, Performance Max), Meta Facebook & Instagram (Prospecting, Retargeting, Catalog Sales, Shopping), and Programmatic media (Display, CTV, Video, Audio).
Her professional practice is grounded in an analytical and strategic data-driven approach, using modern advertising tools to systematically optimize marketing investments with a focus on KPI achievement and sustainable business profitability. A creative problem-solving mindset and full-funnel conversion support play a key role in her work with clients. Kateryna acts not only as an expert in campaign execution but also as a mentor to business owners in leveraging advertising tools effectively. This working model enables scalable budget growth while improving core performance metrics.
In 2023, Kateryna received the Ukrainian Business Award in the category “Outstanding Expert in Digital Marketing and E-commerce.”

The nominee demonstrated exceptional PR leadership during an annual partner conference attended by 500 top executives. A severe storm caused multiple power outages, plunging the event into darkness. Instead of disruption, the nominee kept the event running, ensuring speakers continued, using flashlights, and maintaining engagement. This crisis management not only preserved the conference’s success but also reinforced trust, leading to new business deals signed on-site.

Over the past two years, the nominee has consistently demonstrated excellence in PR and strategic communications, achieving measurable results:

Enhanced brand recognition by strengthening the company’s reputation among key industry players.
Secured new business opportunities, turning high-stakes events into platforms for successful deal-making.
Mastered crisis communication, transforming unforeseen challenges into moments that reinforced trust and reliability.
Through innovative PR strategies, adaptability, and bold leadership, the nominee has elevated the company’s public perception, built long-term partnerships, and showcased PR as a driving force for business success.

Metro 2.0 is a strategic initiative by METRO to transform its offline retail strengths—such as personalized recommendations, volume-based discounts (BMPL), and social proof—into a successful online business model. This digital transformation enhances the data-driven approach with AL/ML learning & AB testing improves customer experience, increases sales, and strengthens brand loyalty.

Results:
-A 4.17% increase in purchases and 3.02% higher revenue among new users exposed to private label brands recommendations.

BMPL Impact:
-1.65% increase in average order size;
-3.81% growth in purchase volume.

2.5% more purchases and 3.58% higher ARPU (average revenue per user) with social proof tactics.
10% less churn.

First-Impression Advantage: New users unfamiliar with METRO’s assortment discovered own brands organically, reducing reliance on external marketing.
Higher Margins: Private label & BMPL products typically yield better profitability than third-party brands.
Trust Over Information: Prioritized peer validation (reviews) over technical details, aligning with how users make decision.

Metro 2.0 is a digital transformation initiative that bridges METRO’s offline strengths—private label appeal, bulk discounts (BMPL), and trust-building—into online retail:
+4.17% Metro brand sales lift among new users
+1.65% larger baskets via BMPL
+3.58% ARPU growth
Key innovations include cross-category discovery, volume-based discounts, and social proofs. The results highlight METRO’s ability to digitize wholesale advantages while enhancing margins and loyalty.

Ruslan Shadenov, founder of RS IMPORT, stands as a trailblazer in the digital transformation of cross-border car trading for private clients in Kazakhstan. In a market historically dominated by opaque processes and intermediaries, Ruslan was among the first to introduce a transparent, client-focused e-commerce model for purchasing vehicles from U.S. auctions. His strategic approach has set new industry standards and created genuine value for thousands of Kazakhstani consumers.

Ruslan’s strategy is built around direct-to-client service, leveraging a proprietary digital platform that simplifies every step—from auction selection and bidding, to logistics, customs clearance, and final delivery. By integrating legal, financial, and operational expertise, RS IMPORT provides end-to-end support with absolute transparency in pricing, documentation, and vehicle condition. This model eliminates hidden costs and risks, empowering private buyers to access the global auto market confidently.

Beyond operational excellence, Ruslan has driven significant advances in digital education and industry literacy. Recognizing a gap in consumer awareness, he launched educational initiatives, including webinars, guides, and expert commentary, demystifying the process of cross-border vehicle purchase. His educational content not only builds trust in the RS IMPORT brand but also elevates the entire market by fostering informed decision-making.

Ruslan’s leadership has helped shape public discussion on regulatory best practices for vehicle importation and digital commerce, positioning him as both an innovator and a responsible industry voice. His dual background in finance and law ensures each transaction is not just efficient, but fully compliant and secure, reflecting a rare blend of entrepreneurship and consumer advocacy.

As RS IMPORT continues to grow its presence both in Kazakhstan and internationally, Ruslan Shadenov’s B2C strategy stands out for its clarity, customer-centricity, and measurable results. By setting new benchmarks for transparency, support, and digital innovation in e-commerce, he has redefined how consumers in Kazakhstan access the U.S. auto market—making global commerce accessible, honest, and secure for all.

Dmytro Balan has emerged as a leader in marketing automation through the creation and successful scaling of ThinkAd — an AI-powered Amazon advertising optimization platform built specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. With years of hands-on experience in Amazon PPC management and a career that spans agencies like Profit Whales and Disqover, Dmytro identified a critical need in the market: affordable, high-impact automation for sellers lacking the expertise or resources to manage complex ad campaigns.

Launched in 2022, ThinkAd addresses this gap by offering an intelligent, user-friendly solution that automates bid adjustments, keyword harvesting, budget allocation, and ad scheduling. It empowers businesses to achieve enterprise-level ad performance without the overhead of large teams or external consultants. Under Dmytro’s leadership, the platform has delivered impressive results: a 25–30% reduction in ACoS, 206% increase in ad-driven revenue, and over 50% improvement in organic rankings for clients such as Handcraft Blends, Brooklyn Botany, and New York Biology.

Dmytro’s strategic approach combines data-driven precision with real-world seller pain points. ThinkAd doesn’t just automate tasks — it creates a seamless feedback loop between ad performance, product visibility, and business growth. His commitment to continuous improvement is evident in ThinkAd’s weekly client reporting system, which includes ad performance analytics, keyword tracking, and stock-to-sales ratios — tools that transform tactical decisions into scalable strategies.

Recognized by the Amazon Ads Partner Network and trusted by over 100 SMBs, Dmytro’s vision has redefined what automation can achieve for e-commerce entrepreneurs. His work stands as a testament to how thoughtful technology can democratize success, helping smaller players thrive in one of the world’s most competitive marketplaces. This nomination acknowledges his innovation, execution, and real-world business impact in the field of marketing automation.

Since launching Tech Suppliers Pro on the U.S. market in September 2024, Artem Kalashnikov has increased monthly turnover by more than 50 times, scaling from modest initial shipments to consistent monthly sales of $50,000–$100,000. In less than a year of operations, he achieved a single-record shipment of $56,000 and has maintained a strong, upward growth trajectory for the company.
Artem secured official partnership and distribution agreements with leading global technology brands—including Dell, Cisco, Lenovo, Western Digital, SanDisk, MSI, and Ubiquiti—as well as with major U.S. electronics distributors such as D&H and TDSynnex. Under his leadership, the company established an active client base of 24 companies, 6 of which are now regular customers. An impressive 80% repeat client rate underscores the trust and satisfaction he has fostered through exceptional service and reliability.
Artem has successfully built a thriving eBay channel, selling over 858 products since launch. He has earned an established monthly sales limit of up to $5 million on the platform. Customer satisfaction is reflected in 208 positive reviews with a 99% positive feedback rate, confirming his reputation for operational excellence and responsive service.
Artem implemented an integrated inventory and sales management system via Inventory Source, connecting Shopify, Amazon, and eBay for real-time synchronization of stock and pricing. This automation minimized errors, accelerated order processing, and enabled the company to scale rapidly. Using Shopify as a CRM and analytics platform, he elevated operational efficiency and significantly reduced order fulfillment time. Additionally, Artem pioneered the practice of developing custom procurement lists for regular clients, which deepened customer relationships and streamlined sales cycles. Targeted advertising campaigns further ensured a consistent pipeline of new business clients.
One of the hallmarks of Artem’s leadership is his commitment to European-level customer service. This includes instant order response, proactive communication, and a personalized approach for every client. These standards quickly differentiated Tech Suppliers Pro from competitors and earned the lasting loyalty of both business clients and end customers in the highly competitive American market.
Artem’s track record demonstrates not just outstanding commercial performance, but also the ability to introduce best-in-class business practices, adapt global standards to local market needs, and drive innovation through technology and process automation. His achievements have positioned Tech Suppliers Pro as a trusted, high-performing player in the U.S. electronics distribution sector in record time.

In the rapidly evolving digital market, our company recognized the need to rethink traditional customer acquisition and communication channels. Facing increasing competition and ever-changing client expectations, Sergey Sukhov, AdQuantum’s CBDO and the nominee for Digital Marketing Leader of the Year spearheaded a strategic transformation. He was the driving force in implementing cross-functional solutions across departments and enhancing the company’s visibility and transparency with clients. This not only strengthened our brand presence both online and offline but also fostered a new data-driven decision-making culture within the team, improving our approach to both new and existing partnerships.

Key Highlights:

• Established partnerships with Meta, Google, Moloco, RevenueCat, Adapty, FunnelFox, Snapchat, and TikTok as a Creative Exchange Partner
• Earned certifications from Google, Meta, Moloco, Adjust, and AppsFlyer
• The Business Development team attended 20 conferences across North America and Europe in 2024 to build partnerships and increase brand awareness. Our conference presence is now expanding to South America
• Acquired 108 new clients in 2024
• Company headcount grew by 20% over the past year which partially was the result of increased brand awareness
• Has successfully launched a series of events organized by AdQuantum across Europe, either independently or in collaboration with partners. So far, we have hosted seven major events—three in Limassol, two in Vilnius, one in Warsaw, and one in London.

With over a decade of experience in international trade marketing, product launches, and marketplace strategy, Katerina Lychak stands out as a visionary e-commerce consultant who combines strategic thinking with hands-on marketplace expertise. Her work bridges global standards with local relevance — a skill that has been especially impactful in Armenia’s rapidly evolving digital commerce sector.

Katerina has played a pivotal role in helping both emerging and established Armenian companies thrive in the online economy. As a business development consultant, she has guided brands like Telcell Market, Elassi, Reyma, and Arcada through every step of their e-commerce journey — from positioning and product range strategy to performance marketing and customer experience enhancement. Her nuanced understanding of marketplace dynamics, particularly on platforms like OZON and OZON Global, enables her to elevate listings and drive measurable growth for her clients.

Beyond technical expertise, Katerina is recognized for her ability to see the full picture. She integrates digital marketing with customer-centric design, optimizing every touchpoint to boost KPIs such as conversion rates, cart value, and repeat purchase frequency. Her multilingual skills and international background make her an ideal connector between cultures, markets, and platforms.

Katerina’s impact goes beyond consulting. She actively supports the development of Armenia’s digital ecosystem by mentoring, speaking, and participating in professional juries, including the Armenia Digital Awards. Her message to entrepreneurs and marketers is clear: “If your project is solving real problems and creating new possibilities, this is your time to shine.”

This nomination honors Katerina Lychak not only for her track record of tangible results but also for her forward-thinking approach and dedication to empowering brands across borders. Her work exemplifies what it means to be a true e-commerce consultant in today’s digital-first economy.

As Director of Marketing at Halyk Insurance, Damir Zholeuov led a bold digital transformation that redefined how insurance products are marketed and delivered in Kazakhstan. His standout initiative—Halyk KASKO—was not only a product launch, but a strategic overhaul of the entire customer journey. Under his leadership, KASKO evolved into a fully digital experience: from vehicle inspection via video to online policy issuance and AI-powered damage assessment. These innovations turned a once lengthy, offline process into a seamless online service completed in minutes.

Backed by deep market research, a new positioning strategy, and a streamlined product offering, Damir’s work resulted in a 20x increase in KASKO sales—growing from 4.5 million to 175 million KZT in just one year. He doubled digital sales share, tripled conversion through direct channels, and implemented a loyalty program that raised retention from 65% to 80%. Campaigns featuring influencers and automotive bloggers helped raise national awareness of voluntary auto insurance, a product historically unfamiliar to many.

Damir’s contributions extend beyond insurance: he previously managed large-scale digital growth at Halyk Bank, launched lifestyle platforms like Halyk Market and Halyk Travel, and oversaw campaigns reaching over 5,500 schools. His results-driven, human-focused approach marks him as a true digital marketing leader for the region.

The nomination arises from a critical need in today’s increasingly virtual workplace: remote workers, particularly those with ADHD, face unique challenges in maintaining focus and engagement. Empy.ai, led by the nominee, addresses this gap by offering an AI-driven platform that structures meetings, provides real-time focus cues, and tracks engagement for individuals who struggle to stay present in digital environments. This innovation emerged during a pivotal period when remote collaboration became the norm, spotlighting a growing demand for tools that promote inclusivity and productivity. By combining advanced AI with a deep understanding of neurodiversity, the nominee successfully transformed a recognized problem—underrepresented support for ADHD professionals—into a high-impact solution that redefines how remote teams function.