AUCKLAND, Today: LIA has locked in an impressive line-up of creative leaders to head its 2026 juries, with judging set to take place at Encore @ Wynn Las Vegas from 25 September to 3 October 2026.
Across 32 categories, 20 Jury Presidents and their juries will help set the creative benchmark, drawing from legacy networks, independents, production and music houses, as well as brands.
The line-up brings together some of the industry’s most respected names, recognised not just for award-winning work, but for the influence they have had on creative standards more broadly.
A major addition this year is the new Democracy and Human Rights competition, launched by LIA in collaboration with the European Parliament.
The new competition will recognise work that actively promotes and strengthens democratic and human rights values around the world, across 10 sub-categories.
It will honour work focused on human rights, free expression, fair representation, accountability and the essential freedoms that help democracy thrive. Work created for political parties or political candidates will not be eligible.
Christina Shaw, VP – Awards of LIA said, “Every one of our Jury Presidents is someone who is extremely respected in the industry. It doesn’t matter if they are part of a network, independent agency or a brand, they have all pushed standards of creativity further ahead with their body of work and creative influence.”
Entries are now open, with a 35 percent early bird discount available for the next two weeks. That offer runs through to 30 April 2026.
As always, judging will take place fully onsite, with no pre-judging or offsite shortcuts. Jury Presidents and jurors will review every piece of work in their categories across all rounds before signing off on winners.
“Every one of our Jury Presidents is someone who is extremely respected in the industry. It doesn’t matter if they are part of a network, independent agency or a brand, they have all pushed standards of creativity further ahead with their body of work and creative influence.” – Christina Shaw, VP – Awards of LIA
The LIA 2026 Jury Presidents are as follows:
Ambient & Activation | Billboard | Poster | Print
Aaron Starkman, Global Chief Creative Officer and Partner, Rethink Communications
Audio & Radio
Ajay Vikram, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe South East Asia, Singapore
B2B and Business Transformation
Javier Campopiano, Global Chief Creative Officer, Omnicom Advertising
Creative Strategy
Monica Radulescu, Senior Strategy Manager, OLA – Our LEGO® Agency, Copenhagen
Creativity In Media
Dino Myers-Lamptey, Founder, The Barber Shop, London
Creativity In PR
Rachael Sansom, CEO UK & Europe, HAVAS Red
Democracy and Human Rights
Anthony Chelvanathan, Global Creative Partner, Edelman & CCO Edelman Canada
Design and Package Design
Yoshihiro Yagi, Executive Creative Director / Growth Officer, dentsu Japan, Tokyo
Digital and Creators & Social Platforms
Menno Kluin, Global Chief Creative Officer, Iris Worldwide
Direct
Keka Morelle, CCO Latam, OGILVY LATAM
Entertainment & Content and Cultural Catalyst
Geoff Edwards, Managing Director, Creative, GALE, New York
Evolution, Gaming and Creative Use of Data
Marco Venturelli, Global CCO / CEO Leo, CCO / CEO Publicis Conseil,
CCO Publicis Group France
Health & Wellness
Rich Levy, Chief Creative Officer, Klick Health
Health & Wellness-Craft and Pharma-Craft
Marie Julie Gerbauld, Chief Creative Officer, DAVID, São Paulo
Music & Sound
Lucas Mayer, Founder & Global Music Director, DaHouse Audio
Non-Traditional
Tara Ford, Chief Creative Officer, Droga5, London
Pharma
Tim Hawkey, Chief Creative Officer, Area 23, New York
Production & Post and Music Video
Christiane Dressler, Managing Director, Anorak Film, Berlin
Sports
Shannon Washington, Chief Creative Officer, Managing Partner, 11 Ounces, Brooklyn
TV & Cinema and Online Film
Chaka Sobhani, Global Chief Creative Officer, TBWA Worldwide
Share this Post
