Mumbai: The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced its 2026 Jury Presidents, with India securing a strong presence across three influential categories—Health & Wellness, Creative Data, and Media—underscoring the country’s growing role in shaping global creative and marketing benchmarks.
Leading the Indian contingent is Kainaz Karmakar, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy India, who has been named Jury President – Health & Wellness. The category recognises work that drives meaningful impact across healthcare, wellness, and purpose-driven innovation. Karmakar’s appointment reflects India’s increasing influence in health-led creativity, where storytelling, behavioural science, and technology are converging to address real-world challenges at scale.
Also representing India is Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis Groupe South Asia, appointed Jury President – Creative Data. The category celebrates excellence in transforming data into creative and commercial advantage. Acharya’s selection highlights South Asia’s growing maturity in data-led creativity, marketing technology, and analytics-driven brand transformation.
Further strengthening India’s footprint is Sindhuja Rai, Chief Client Officer, WPP Media APMEA, who will serve as Jury President – Media. Her role will involve evaluating work that demonstrates innovation and effectiveness in media strategy, planning, and execution at a time when the media ecosystem is undergoing rapid structural and technological change.
Cannes Lions 2026 will take place from 22–26 June 2026, with organisers noting that the jury leadership reflects the expanding scope of creativity—from brand building and cultural influence to data, commerce, and business transformation.
Other Cannes Lions 2026 Jury Presidents
Beyond the Indian representation, Cannes Lions has announced a wide-ranging global line-up of Jury Presidents across disciplines, including:
- Marcel Marcondes, Global CMO, AB InBev – Creative Brand (inaugural category)
- Oriel Davis-Lyons, Chief Creative Officer, Mother New York – Audio & Radio
- Rafael Pitanguy, Deputy Global CCO, VML – Brand Experience & Activation
- Ty Heath, Global Director, Thought Leadership, LinkedIn – Creative B2B
- Gugu Mthembu, CMO, Telkom – Creative Business Transformation
- Phil Camarota, Chief Creative Officer, Flywheel – Creative Commerce
- Bertille Toledano, CEO, BETC & Havas Creative Middle East – Creative Effectiveness
- Sarah Lemarié, Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis France – Creative Strategy
- Greg Quinton, CCO, Design Bridge and Partners – Design
- Andrés Ordóñez, Global CCO, McCann – Digital Craft
- Joaquín Cubría, CCO, GUT – Direct
- Chris Beresford-Hill, Worldwide CCO, BBDO – Entertainment
- Pelle Sjoenell, Former Worldwide CCO, Droga5 – Film
- Monique Nelson, Executive Chair, UWG – Glass: The Lion for Change
- Kazoo Sato, CEO & CCO, Earth Centric Design – Sustainable Development Goals
- Chaka Sobhani, Global CCO, TBWA\Worldwide – Dan Wieden Titanium Lion
Awards submissions for Cannes Lions 2026 are open until 9 April 2026.
