Anupriya Acharya, CEO, Publicis Groupe South Asia, and Kainaz Karmakar, chief creative officer, Ogilvy India, will chair juries at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026.
Acharya will lead the Creative Data jury, while Karmakar will chair the Health and Wellness jury. They are the first Indians to head these categories.
The Creative Data Lions recognise work that combines data, insight and creativity to deliver consumer experiences and measurable business outcomes.
India featured in the category in 2025, when Publicis-owned Leo, formerly Leo Burnett, won a Gold Lion for the ACKO Tailor Test campaign.
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.”
