Meet the 2025 Cannes Lions Shortlisting Jury Members from the UAE

UAE creative talent shines as ten professionals join the Cannes Lions 2025 Shortlisting Jury, cementing the nation’s growing influence on global creativity

 

Cannes Lions has announced the panel of ten shortlisting jury members from the UAE who will participate in the initial judging phase for this year’s Cannes Lions awards, set to take place in Cannes, France, from June 16-20, 2025.

This announcement follows the earlier revelation of sixteen awarding jury members from the UAE, bringing the total representation to a record twenty-six professionals from the Emirates who will contribute to setting the global benchmark for creative excellence at this year’s Festival.

These ten shortlisting jurors will join experts from across 79 markets, representing the global industry’s leading talent from a diverse range of disciplines, with markets including Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, and Mongolia represented on the Shortlisting Jury for the first time.

Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, said: “All our Jurors play a crucial role in shaping the work awarded at Cannes Lions. This year, we are seeing an unprecedented level of global engagement from deserving talent, with more markets, more voices, and more perspectives coming together to recognise the global benchmark. I’d like to extend my gratitude for their hard work and care in curating the work that will go on to set the global standard and make history.

Regarding the UAE representation, Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, and CEO of Motivate Val Morgan said: “The selection of shortlisting jury members from the UAE, contributing to our record total representation across both juries this year, marks a significant milestone for our creative community. The incremental representation each year reflects the maturity of our creative industry and its increasing recognition internationally. I am sure these talented individuals will bring their unique perspectives to the judging process, ensuring the UAE’s voice helps shape global creative standards.

The 2025 Shortlisting Jury Members from the UAE have been named as:

 

 

Brand Experience & Activation: Sarah Berro | Head of Creative, Vice Media, MEA

Creative Strategy: Catherine Bannister | Chief Strategy Officer, TBWA RAAD, MENA

Direct: Martino Caliendo | Associate Creative Director, Impact BBDO, UAE

Film Craft: Nayla Chacra | Head of Post Production and Executive Producer, Prodigious, Global

Media: Lara Arbid | CEO, Initiative and Magna Global, MENAT

Media: Daniel Shepherd | Group Chief Strategy Officer, Omnicom Media Group, MENA

Outdoor: Michele De iuliis | Associate Creative Director, Havas Middle East, United Arab Emirates

PR: Peter Jacob | Managing Director, MENAT, Current Global, MENAT

Social & Creator: Estelle Khayat | Associate Strategy Director, Leo, MENA

Social & Creator: Mohammed Ajawi | Director of Digital Experience, Ogilvy, UAE

 

Further information on this year’s Festival and the Lions Awards can be found at visit www.canneslions.com.

Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan are the official representatives of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE.

 

Source: Cannes Lions Press Release

 

 

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Cannes Lions Announces 2025 Awarding Jury Members from the UAE

Sixteen UAE jury members will collaborate closely with awarding jurors from across the globe to recognize and honor outstanding creative work at the 2025 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity

Cannes Lions has unveiled the cohort of global experts selected to award the world’s finest creative and effective work, setting the standard for excellence this June at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. Among the distinguished jury members announced, this year will feature sixteen representatives from the United Arab Emirates, marking the nation’s strongest representation ever at the industry’s most celebrated awards.

The 72nd edition of Cannes Lions, running from June 16 to 20, 2025, will showcase the UAE’s growing influence on the global creative stage as these exceptional professionals prepare to set new benchmarks for excellence during the Festival.

Commenting on the Jury, Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, said: “The Cannes Lions Awarding Jury plays a vital role in setting the global benchmark for creative excellence. This year’s line-up brings together some of the most highly respected and accomplished industry talent from around the world. Their expertise will help define the creative standards that continue to drive our industry forward and spotlight the power of creativity as a catalyst for meaningful business growth and transformation.

Regarding the record UAE representation, Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said, “Having our largest-ever UAE representation on the Cannes Lions awarding jury is a remarkable achievement for our creative community. I am sure their diverse expertise will make a significant contribution to the global creative dialogue. Their selection reflects the UAE’s growing influence and our commitment to excellence, and demonstrates the creative caliber and thought leadership emerging from this region on the international stage.

 

The 2025 Awarding Jury Members from the UAE have been named as:

Audio & Radio Lions:
Leila Katrib | Global Executive Creative Director, Incubeta, Global

Brand Experience & Activation Lions:
Natalie Shardan | Managing Partner, Serviceplan Middle East, UAE

Creative Business Transformation Lions:
Fabio Silveira | Managing Director, Havas, Middle East

Creative Data Lions:
Karim ElFiqi | SVP and Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo, Africa, Middle East, and South Asia

Creative Effectiveness Lions:
Dani Richa | Group Chairman, Impact BBDO, UAE

Design Lions:
Dida Atassi | Managing Director, Creative Account Lead for Design & Digital Products, Accenture Song, UAE

Digital Craft Lions:
Paulo Engler | Senior Creative Director and Head of Art, FP7 McCann, UAE

Direct Lions:
Aricio Fortes | Chief Creative Officer, VML, UAE

Film Lions:
Manasvi Gosalia | Executive Producer, Dejavu, UAE

Health & Wellness Lions:
João Camacho | Executive Creative Director, Saatchi Wellness ME, KSA and Turkey, MEA

Industry Craft Lions:
Lara Assouad | Executive Creative Director, Landor, Middle East

Innovation Lions:
Seyoan Vela | Chief Creative Officer, Livingroom/LRDXB, MENA

Media Lions:
Ramzy Abouchacra | Media Practice President, Dentsu, MENA

Pharma Lions:
Alok Gadkar | CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Tuesday, UAE

PR Lions:
Khaled AlShehhi | Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, UAE Government Media Office, UAE

Sustainable Development Goals Lions:
Vidya Manmohan | Founder and Chief Creative Officer, V4Good, Global

 

With shortlisting jury line-up to be announced soon, see the full list of Global Presidents and Awarding Juries here.

Further information on this year’s Festival and the Lions Awards can be found at visit www.canneslions.com

Motivate Media Group and Motivate Val Morgan are the official representatives of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the UAE.

 

 

Source: Cannes Press Release

 

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