The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has opened its 2025 Awards submissions for its 72nd edition, alongside announcing the prestigious global experts set to lead the juries. These experts will gather in Cannes in June to evaluate the best creative and effective work from around the world.
Ali Ali, Co-Founder and Film Director of Good People Films, will make his debut as the Film Craft Lions Jury President, representing Egypt for the first time. Meanwhile, significant changes are coming to the festival in 2025. The Social & Influencer Lions are now renamed the Social & Creator Lions, recognising the growing influence of creators in the marketing world. Beth Keamy, Chief Digital Officer at TBWA\Media Arts Lab, will lead this jury, bringing her expertise in digital innovation.
In a major shift for the Glass: The Lion for Change award, which celebrates creative work for social equity, the scope will broaden beyond gender to include other communities such as those based on disability, race, sexuality, and social inequity. KR Liu, Global Head of Disability Innovation at Google, will serve as Jury President for Glass, championing the award’s new inclusive vision.
Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, commented on the Jury Presidents: “We are excited to welcome a diverse and forward-thinking group of leaders who understand the transformative power of creative excellence to drive business growth and impact. All experts in their field, their incredible talent, combined with the commitment and leadership they bring to their roles, ensures the highest levels of integrity and rigor in the judging process. We thank them for all that they will bring to the important task ahead of them in June.”
The full list of Jury Presidents for Cannes Lions 2025 includes:
Audio & Radio: Xolisa Dyeshana, Chief Creative Officer, Joe Public, Africa & Middle East
Brand Experience & Activation: Tara Ford, Chief Creative Officer, Droga5 ANZ & Accenture Song, APAC
Creative B2B: Wendy Walker, VP Marketing ASEAN, Salesforce, ASEAN
Creative Business Transformation: Jane Lin-Baden, CEO APAC, Publicis Groupe
Creative Commerce: Gabriel Schmitt, Global Chief Creative Officer, Grey, Global
Creative Data: Tina Allan, Global Chief Data & Intelligence Officer, FCB, Global
Creative Effectiveness: Andrea Diquez, Global CEO, GUT, Global
Creative Strategy: Pats McDonald, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Dentsu Creative
Design: Jessica Walsh, Founder & Creative Director, &Walsh, USA
Digital Craft: Naoki Tanaka, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Lab, Dentsu, Global
Direct: Gaëtan du Peloux, President & Chief Creative Officer, Marcel, France
Entertainment Lions: David Rolfe, Global Head of Production, WPP / Hogarth
Entertainment Lions for Gaming: Sue Anderson, VP, Creative, Roblox, USA
Entertainment Lions for Music: Seiya Matsumiya, CEO & Co-Founder, Black Cat White Cat Music
Entertainment Lions for Sport: Jimmy Smith, CEO, Amusement Park Entertainment, USA
Film: Kate Stanners, Chairwoman & Global Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi
Film Craft: Ali Ali, Co-Founder & Film Director, Good People Films, Egypt
Glass: The Lion for Change: KR Liu, Global Head of Disability Innovation, Google
Health & Wellness: Eric Weisberg, Global Chief Creative Officer, Havas Health Network
Industry Craft: Matthias Spaetgens, Chief Creative Officer, Scholz & Friends
Innovation: Courtney Brown Warren, Chief Marketing Officer, Kickstarter
Luxury: Mathilde Delhoume Debreu, Global Brand Officer, LVMH
Media: Dan Clays, CEO, Omnicom Media Group, EMEA
Outdoor: Keka Morelle, Chief Creative Officer LATAM, Ogilvy
Pharma: Franklin Williams, EVP, Executive Experience Director, AREA 23
PR: Tom Beckman, Global Chief Creative Officer, Weber Shandwick
Print & Publishing: Icaro Doria, President & Chief Creative Officer, DM9, Brazil
Social & Creator: Beth Keamy, Chief Digital Officer, TBWA\Media Arts Lab
Sustainable Development Goals: Josy Paul, Chairperson & Chief Creative Officer, BBDO
Dan Wieden Titanium Lions: Judy John, Global Chief Creative Officer, Edelman
The festival’s jury presidents, from a variety of industries and regions, are set to ensure the highest standards of creative excellence across the board in 2025.
