Dubai Lynx, MENA’s leading platform for creative excellence and effectiveness, has revealed the Jury Presidents who will oversee the 2026 Awards. Coming together in Dubai next March, these industry leaders will guide their Juries to benchmark excellence across the region’s very best creative and effective work.
From global CCOs and CEOs to award-winning creatives, these leaders represent the highest level of creative and strategic expertise. Their appointments underscore the growing momentum in the region’s creative economy and its ongoing transformation. The line-up includes notable industry experts such as: Judy John, Global Chief Creative Officer, Edelman presiding over Audio & Radio, Film and Print & Publishing, Marco Venturelli, Global Chief Creative Officer and CEO, Leo, serving as Jury President for Brand Experience & Activation and Creative Commerce, Yasuharu Sasaki, Global Chief Creative Officer, dentsu leading Digital Craft and Social & Creator and Chrissie Hanson, CEO, OMD, USA chairing the Media Lynx Award.
Ian Fairservice, Vice Chairman, Dubai Lynx, commented: “Each year, the Jury Presidents play a crucial role in upholding the standard of work recognised at Dubai Lynx. This year’s line-up brings global authority and regional insight, reinforcing MENA’s role as a destination for world-class creativity. We thank them for all that they will bring to the important task ahead of them next March.”
Elsewhere, Julien Calot, Chief Creative Officer, McCann Paris and Global Creative Director, L’Oréal Brands, McCann will preside over the inaugural Luxury Lynx Jury for 2026. His appointment underscores the importance of expertise in shaping luxury narratives that resonate globally and locally. On his appointment, Calot said: “I’m excited, joyful, and honoured to lead this Jury. Luxury is a quest for the extraordinary.
The extraordinary craft behind a dress. The extraordinary precision of a gemstone. The extraordinary engineering inside a car. The extraordinary care of a perfect service.
“Luxury is never casual. It’s an obsession for the ‘never-ordinary’. So as a Jury, we’ll look for work that carries that same fire: Extraordinary ideas. Bold. Never-seen- before. Extraordinary impact that shifts culture. Extraordinary stories, extraordinary emotions. Extraordinary craft, and the courage to create beyond expectations.”
Marian Brannelly, Global Director of Awards, LIONS, added: “The Jury Presidents represent outstanding creative and strategic leadership from across the global industry. Their influence and perspective will help us continue to set the benchmark for excellence in the region. The launch of the Luxury Lynx marks an exciting evolution in how we celebrate creative excellence in MENA. Brands in the luxury sector carefully balance heritage with innovation and navigate changing consumer values alongside new definitions of luxury. This new Award will set a new benchmark for a sector that’s transforming at speed. As the inaugural Jury President, Julien Calot’s expertise will help guide the Jury to celebrate excellence in creative communications for luxury brands in the region.”
The Dubai Lynx 2026 Jury Presidents have been named as:
Audio & Radio, Film, Print & Publishing
Judy John | Global Chief Creative Officer, Edelman, Global
Brand Experience & Activation, Creative Commerce
Marco Venturelli | President and Chief Creative Officer, Leo, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe France, and CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Conseil, Global
Design, Industry Craft
Josefina Casellas | VP Executive Creative Director & General Manager SS LATAM, R/GA, SS LATAM
Digital Craft, Social & Creator
Yasuharu Sasaki | Global Chief Creative Officer, dentsu, Global
Direct, Outdoor
Joji Jacob | Regional Chief Creative Officer, Havas, South East Asia and North Asia
- Entertainment
Laurence (‘Lolly’) Thomson | Joint Global Chief Creative Officer, M+C Saatchi Group,
Global
- Film Craft
Zia Mandviwalla | Director, Finch, Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia
- Healthcare
Tash Beecher | Creative Director, Syneos Health, Global & EMEA
- Luxury
Julien Calot | Chief Creative Officer, McCann Paris and Global Creative Director,
L’Oréal Brands, McCann, Global
Media
Chrissie Hanson | CEO, OMD, USA
PR
Lerato Songelwa | Managing Director: South Africa, Burson, South Africa
Entries into Dubai Lynx are being accepted until 22 January 2026. Further information on the Awards can be found at www.dubailynx.com/awards.