INDIAN CREATIVE LEADERS TAKE CENTRE STAGE IN CANNES LIONS 2026 JURY LINE-UP

Ten Indian advertising leaders have been named to the Cannes Lions 2026 awarding jury, underscoring the country’s growing creative influence. The festival, set for 22–26 June, also highlights greater global diversity, with new markets represented and evolving creative disciplines shaping how excellence is judged.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has unveiled its awarding jury for 2026, placing a strong spotlight on India’s expanding role in shaping global creative standards. Scheduled to take place from 22 to 26 June, the festival will bring together some of the most influential voices in advertising, marketing and creative industries.

Among them are ten prominent figures from India’s advertising and marketing ecosystem, reflecting the country’s growing strategic and creative clout on the world stage. The Indian contingent includes Rakesh Menon of Ulka, Dheeraj Sinha of McCann India, Gurbaksh Singh of Dentsu Creative, Prachi Narayan of Havas Play, music composer Subhajit Mukherjee, Binda Dey of Knight Riders Sports, Kainaz Karmakar of Ogilvy, Anisha Iyer of OMD, Dhruv Warrior of VML, and Pooja Manek of Talented Agency.

Their inclusion spans a wide range of disciplines—from creative leadership and media to music composition and brand marketing—highlighting how Indian professionals are increasingly influencing not just campaigns, but the broader creative economy.

The 2026 jury line-up reflects a deliberate shift towards greater diversity and cross-market representation. Organisers have expanded participation from regions including Africa, the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, and Latin America, with first-time jurors from the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. The move signals a broader recognition that creative excellence is no longer concentrated in traditional markets but is emerging across geographies and cultures.

For India, the presence of ten jury members marks not just recognition but responsibility. As the country continues to produce globally resonant campaigns and creative talent, its representatives at Cannes Lions will play a pivotal role in evaluating and defining what constitutes groundbreaking work in an industry undergoing rapid transformation.