Cannes Lions reveals 2026 Jury Presidents, spotlighting creative leadership across global disciplines

AB InBev’s Marcel Marcondes appointed inaugural Creative Brand Lion Jury President

First time independent agencies join the line-up

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, taking place 22–26 June 2026, has announced its 2026 Jury President line-up, bringing together an exceptional group of global leaders to define creative excellence that will shape the year ahead.

Across the line-up, Marcel Marcondes, Global Chief Marketing Officer, AB InBev, Global, has been named the inaugural Jury President for the Creative Brand Lion, recognising his leadership in building globally iconic brands through creativity at scale. Under his stewardship, AB InBev is the only brand to have been named Creative Marketer of the Year twice in the history of the Festival, underscoring a sustained commitment to creativity as a core business driver. The Creative Brand Lion has been introduced this year to recognise the visionary brands that are building the systems, cultures and capabilities that make world-class creative marketing inevitable and repeatable – and the practices that transform creative potential into lasting business impact.

The line-up also highlights the growing influence of independent agencies, alongside leaders from global brands and platforms. With first-time Jury Presidents from Artplan, Rethink, M+C Saatchi and Mother, the line-up recognises the vital role independent agencies play in pushing creative boundaries across industries and markets worldwide.

Commenting on this year’s line-up, Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, said: “Our Jury Presidents are selected for their proven creative leadership, global perspective and ability to recognise creative work that will raise the bar. The 2026 Jury President line-up reflects the full breadth of creativity today – spanning from brand building to transformation, to driving culture and influencing commerce. I have no doubt they will collectively set a powerful new standard for the year ahead.”

The Cannes Lions 2026 Jury Presidents have been announced as follows:

Audio & Radio Oriel Davis-Lyons | Chief Creative Officer, Mother New York, USA

Brand Experience & Activation Rafael Pitanguy | Deputy Global Chief Creative Officer, VML, Global

Creative B2B Ty Heath | Global Director, Thought Leadership, GTM Strategy, LinkedIn, Global

Creative Brand Marcel Marcondes | Global Chief Marketing Officer, AB InBev, Global

Creative Business Transformation Gugu Mthembu | Chief Marketing Officer, Telkom, South Africa

Creative Commerce Phil Camarota | Chief Creative Officer, Flywheel, Global

Creative Data Anupriya Acharya | CEO, Publicis Groupe, South Asia

Creative Effectiveness Bertille Toledano | CEO, BETC and Havas Creative Middle East; President, Havas Creative Network, Global

Creative Strategy Sarah Lemarié | Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis, France

Design Greg Quinton | Chief Creative Officer, Design Bridge and Partners, Global

Digital Craft Andrés Ordóñez | Global Chief Creative Officer, McCann, Global

Direct Joaquín Cubría | Chief Creative Officer, GUT, Argentina

Entertainment Chris Beresford-Hill | Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, BBDO Worldwide, Global

Entertainment Lions for Gaming Lolly Thomson | Joint Global Chief Creative Officer, M+C Saatchi Group, Global

Entertainment Lions for Music Matt Murphy | Global Chief Creative Officer, 72andSunny, Global

Film Pelle Sjoenell | Former Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, Droga5, part of Accenture Song, Global

Glass: The Lion for Change Monique Nelson | Executive Chair, UWG, USA

Health & Wellness Kainaz Karmakar | Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy, India

Industry Craft Rafael Gil | Chief Creative Officer, Artplan, Brazil

Innovation Kazuhiro Shimura | Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Inc., Japan

Media Sindhuja Rai | Chief Client Officer, WPP Media, APMEA

Outdoor Aaron Starkman | Global Chief Creative Officer, Rethink, Global

PR Dana Tahir | CEO, HAVAS Red, Middle East and Egypt

Print & Publishing Jessica Apellaniz | Chief Creative Officer, Wieden+Kennedy, Mexico

Social & Creator Mihnea Gheorghiu | Global Chief Creative Officer, LePub, Global

Sustainable Development Goals Kazoo Sato | Chief Creative Officer and CEO, Earth Centric Design, Japan

Dan Wieden Titanium Chaka Sobhani | Global Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\Worldwide, Global

Cannes Lions is open for Awards submissions until 9 April 2026. Further information on the 2026 Awards, including dates, Entry Kits and the LIONS Integrity Handbook, can be found here.

The 73rd edition of the Festival takes place from 22 to 26 June in Cannes, France. Pass options, as well as the breadth of initiatives, funded opportunities and talent programmes can be found at www.canneslions.com.