ADVERTISING CLUB MADRAS OPENS MADDYS 2026 WITH NEW JURY CHAIRS

The Advertising Club Madras has opened entries for the 44th MADDYS Awards, running from 2 March to 20 April 2026. Ashish Khazanchi, Anisha Iyer and Sabyasachi Mitter will chair key juries, with the awards themed “Keep It Simple Silly” to spotlight simplicity in communication across six refreshed categories.  

The Advertising Club Madras has formally opened submissions for the 44th edition of its flagship MADDYS Awards, with entries accepted from 2 March until 20 April 2026. Early bird submissions will close on 18 March. Work eligible for consideration must have been released between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, and entries can be submitted through the official website.  

This year’s awards will recognise achievements across six distinct groups: Creative MADDYS, Design & Print Craft MADDYS, Film & Audio Craft MADDYS, Regional Pride (Tamil) MADDYS, Digital MADDYS and Media MADDYS. Each category will be overseen by a separate jury, with distinguished industry leaders appointed as jury chairpersons.  

Ashish Khazanchi, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Enormous Brands, will chair the Creative MADDYS jury. Anisha Iyer, CEO of OMD India, will lead the Media MADDYS jury, while Sabyasachi Mitter, Founder and Managing Director of ibs Fulcro Consulting, will head the Digital MADDYS jury. Additional jury members are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, ensuring a diverse panel of experts to evaluate submissions.  

The 2026 edition carries the theme “KISS – Keep It Simple Silly”, underscoring the importance of clarity and simplicity in communication at a time when audiences are increasingly overwhelmed by cluttered messaging. Organisers say the theme reflects the enduring value of straightforward storytelling in advertising and brand communication.  

Surej Salim, President of the Advertising Club Madras, emphasised that the MADDYS have consistently provided a platform for both independent agencies and large networks, with entries judged purely on merit. He noted that participation is expected from across India and overseas, with the awards night scheduled to take place in Chennai in July.  

Kavitha Srinivasan, Secretary of the club, highlighted that the 2026 edition will feature a refined category structure and evaluation process. She explained that the judging framework has been refreshed with inputs from industry leaders and the Executive Committee, supported by Honorary Jury Convenor and Process Auditor Gokul Krishnamoorthy. Notably, the Digital MADDYS category has been revised to align with global benchmarks, reflecting the evolving nature of digital communication.  

The awards remain open to entries from both Indian and international participants, with all categories language-agnostic except for the Regional Pride MADDYS, which is dedicated exclusively to Tamil advertising. With its renewed focus on simplicity and a strengthened jury framework, the 44th edition of the MADDYS promises to be a landmark celebration of creativity and craft in advertising.