Cannes Lions 2026: 10 Indian leaders named to awarding jury

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, scheduled to take place from June 22–26, has unveiled its Awarding Jury line-up, bringing together some of the most respected voices from across the global creative industry.

This year’s jury features strong representation from India, with 10 industry leaders selected across categories. The Indian contingent includes Rakesh Menon (Chief Creative Experience Officer, Ulka), Dheeraj Sinha (CEO, McCann India), Gurbaksh Singh (Chief Creative Officer & Chief Innovation Officer, Dentsu Creative India), Prachi Narayan (Managing Partner, Havas Play India), Subhajit Mukherjee (Music Composer), Binda Dey (Global CMO, Knight Riders Sports), Kainaz Karmakar (Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy India), Anisha Iyer (CEO, OMD India), Dhruv Warrior (Executive Creative Director, VML India), and Pooja Manek (Creative and Founding Member, Talented Agency).

The 2026 jury reflects a broader shift in the industry, with increased participation from independent agencies, brands, and emerging markets. Notably, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have representation on the jury for the first time, alongside a stronger presence from regions including Africa, MENA, LATAM, and the Pacific.

Among the notable inclusions is AXA, which joins the jury following its successful run at the 2025 festival, where it secured 13 Lions—marking its debut in the awarding line-up.

Commenting on the announcement, Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, emphasised the critical role juries play in setting global creative benchmarks and shaping the future of the industry. He noted that this year’s selection brings together a diverse mix of expertise and perspectives to recognise groundbreaking work.

Marian Brannelly, Global Director of Awards, added that the evolving composition of the jury highlights how creativity today is more interconnected and influential across business functions. She underscored that wider geographic and professional diversity ensures that work is evaluated through a truly global and contemporary lens.

As the industry continues to evolve, this year’s jury is expected to play a key role in defining the standards of creative excellence and recognising work that drives both business impact and societal change.