Effie Asia Pacific has appointed Cheryl Goh, Group Head of Marketing, Sustainability, Loyalty and Support at Grab, and Dheeraj Sinha, CEO of McCann India, as its first pair of Heads of Jury for the 2026 Awards. The duo will serve on the judging committee and lead the jury in evaluating and celebrating the most effective marketing work across the region.
Goh, part of Grab’s early founding team, has played a pivotal role in building one of Southeast Asia’s most recognised technology brands. In her current remit, she oversees product marketing, communications and growth across Grab’s ecosystem, while also steering its sustainability agenda and customer experience operations. She additionally manages the full business P&L of Grab’s loyalty programmes, combining brand leadership with commercial accountability. A long-time advocate of marketing effectiveness, Goh has served on the APAC Effie jury for several years.
On her appointment, Cheryl said, “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as a Head of Jury for the APAC Effie Awards. The Effies have always represented what I believe matters most in our craft – creativity that creates real impact. In today’s fast-moving world of AI, platforms, and ever-evolving ways to reach customers, the balance between imagination and measurable results have never been more important. I’m excited to celebrate work that proves brilliant ideas can also deliver meaningful business outcomes.”
On his appointment, Dheeraj said, “I am honoured to serve as a Head of Jury, the Effies represent the gold standard for effectiveness, recognising ideas that create real business impact. We are living through a time when creativity, data and technology are converging to unlock new dimensions of growth, and I am particularly excited to see how brands across APAC are harnessing this to drive meaningful outcomes. I look forward to working with an exceptional jury panel to evaluate and celebrate ideas that not only inspire but demonstrate the power of creativity as a true multiplier for business.
Sinha is widely regarded as a leading voice on Indian consumer behaviour and contemporary brand growth. Over the course of his career, he has worked with brands including PepsiCo, Uber, Spotify, Amazon, KFC and Mahindra, translating consumer insight and cultural understanding into measurable business impact. Beyond his role at McCann India, he is an author and podcast host, and currently serves as President of the Advertising Club of India. He has also spoken at global forums such as Cannes Lions and has frequently served on juries including the APAC Effie Awards.
The APAC Effie Awards positions itself as a benchmark for marketing effectiveness, recognising work that delivers proven results. The 2026 entry season is now in its final phase, with submissions closing on 9 March.
