Mumbai: LIA has announced the appointment of Ajay Vikram, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe South East Asia, as Jury President for the Audio & Radio category for its 2026 awards.
A highly awarded creative leader, Vikram has been recognised among Campaign Brief’s Asia-Pacific Creative Directors of the Year, Singapore’s Most Influential Creative Directors and Campaign’s Asia-Pacific Creative of the Year. He will lead an international panel of audio and radio experts who will evaluate entries on-site in Las Vegas.
Reflecting on the creative power of the medium, Vikram said: “There is only one medium where the advertising space is owned by the consumer: the one between their ears. Audio is probably the simplest, greatest and most direct creative challenge of all. As they say, iykyk.”
He also shared his perspective on the enduring impact of audio advertising, stating, “The theatre of the mind is the most sacred space in advertising. Respect the stage. Emotions are everything, whichever form it takes. Provoke a response. There’s a lot going on in the world. Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Words, songs, sounds, music. Still the best modes of transport on earth.”
Radio has been a part of LIA judging since the awards were established in 1986. As audio continues to gain prominence across platforms, LIA has assembled a panel of leading industry professionals to judge the Audio & Radio category. The jury will listen to every submitted entry on-site in Las Vegas before selecting the winning work.
Commercial radio has remained a relevant and influential medium for over a century, evolving alongside changing consumer habits while retaining its ability to connect with audiences through storytelling, music, sound design and the human voice. With audio seamlessly integrated into everyday life through radio, podcasts and streaming platforms, the category continues to offer brands a powerful way to engage consumers.
Commenting on the jury, Christina Shaw, VP – Awards Director, LIA, said, “These jurors are creative thinkers and professionals, who are responsible for the work that we have admired and envied, proving that the elements that are prevalent in radio like the use of music, sound and voices have evolved and adapted to make Audio & Radio still one of the best ways to reach the target audience. They will be the ones who will lift the standards and push it further up.”
The LIA judging sessions will be conducted entirely on-site at Encore @ Wynn, Las Vegas, from 25 September to 3 October 2026. As with previous editions, there will be no pre-judging or shortlist jury before the live judging process.
