Anupriya Acharya, Kainaz Karmakar, and Sindhuja Rai have been appointed Jury Presidents at Cannes Lions 2026, marking a landmark moment for Indian leadership in global creativity. Acharya becomes the first Indian media leader to head Creative Data Lions, alongside global CMO Marcel Marcondes for the inaugural Creative Brand Lion.
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, long regarded as the world’s most influential stage for creative excellence, has announced a set of Jury Presidents for its 2026 edition that signals a powerful shift in global leadership. Three Indian industry stalwarts—Anupriya Acharya, Kainaz Karmakar, and Sindhuja Rai—will preside over major jury categories, underscoring India’s rising prominence in shaping global conversations around creativity, media, and impact.
Anupriya Acharya has been named Jury President for the Creative Data Lions, becoming the first leader from India’s media fraternity to head this category. Creative Data, one of the festival’s most future-facing segments, recognises work that transforms data into compelling creative ideas, blending analytics with imagination to drive meaningful brand narratives. Acharya’s appointment is widely seen as a recognition of India’s growing expertise in data-led storytelling and media intelligence.
Over the years, Acharya has built a reputation as a visionary leader who understands the interplay between technology, media, and consumer behaviour. Her selection reflects not just personal achievement, but also the evolution of the Indian media ecosystem into one that is increasingly influencing global best practices. Creative Data Lions is a category that demands a deep understanding of how numbers translate into narratives, and how insights turn into cultural impact—an area where Acharya’s leadership has consistently stood out.
Joining her is Kainaz Karmakar, who will serve as Jury President for the Health & Wellness Lions. This category celebrates creativity that addresses some of the most pressing human challenges through health communication, behavioural change, and social awareness. Karmakar’s leadership in purpose-driven creative work has earned her international acclaim, and her appointment highlights the importance of empathy-led storytelling in a post-pandemic world where health narratives have taken centre stage.
Health & Wellness Lions often recognise campaigns that blur the line between communication and social intervention. Karmakar’s work over the years has demonstrated how creativity can function as a catalyst for change, influencing public attitudes and encouraging responsible action. Her role as Jury President signals Cannes Lions’ recognition of leaders who combine craft with conscience.
Adding to this strong Indian presence, Sindhuja Rai, Chief Client Officer, WPP Media, APMEA, has been named Jury President for the Media category. The Media Lions honour innovative use of media platforms to amplify creative ideas, and Rai’s career has been deeply rooted in pioneering media strategies that break conventional formats. Her leadership in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region has shaped large-scale campaigns that seamlessly integrate media innovation with cultural insight.
Rai’s appointment reinforces the idea that media today is not just a delivery mechanism but a creative discipline in itself. As brands navigate an increasingly fragmented attention economy, the Media Lions category has become central to recognising work that finds new, unexpected ways to connect with audiences. Rai’s expertise in this space makes her a fitting choice to guide global deliberations.
The Cannes Lions 2026 jury line-up also includes a landmark global appointment. Marcel Marcondes, Global Chief Marketing Officer at AB InBev, has been named the inaugural Jury President for the Creative Brand Lion, a newly introduced category. This category is designed to recognise brands that consistently demonstrate creative excellence over time, celebrating long-term brand building rather than single campaigns.
Marcondes’ role signals the festival’s increasing emphasis on sustained creativity and brand stewardship. As a global marketing leader behind some of the world’s most recognisable brands, his perspective will help define what enduring creative excellence looks like in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Together, these appointments reflect the evolving nature of creativity itself. Cannes Lions has always mirrored shifts in the industry, and the prominence of categories like Creative Data, Media, Health & Wellness, and Creative Brand indicates a broader understanding of how creativity intersects with technology, humanity, and business performance.
For India, this moment is particularly significant. Historically known for its creative flair in advertising, the country is now being acknowledged for its leadership across multiple dimensions of the creative ecosystem—data, media, purpose-driven communication, and client strategy. The presence of three Indian Jury Presidents across diverse categories is a testament to how Indian professionals are influencing global standards and frameworks.
These roles are not merely ceremonial. Jury Presidents at Cannes Lions play a crucial part in setting the tone for evaluation, guiding discussions, and shaping the benchmarks of excellence for thousands of entries from across the world. Their perspectives influence what the global industry celebrates and aspires to.
The recognition also comes at a time when India’s creative industries are undergoing rapid transformation, driven by digital adoption, technological innovation, and a deeper understanding of consumer diversity. The convergence of data, storytelling, and media strategy is redefining how brands communicate, and Indian leaders are increasingly at the forefront of this evolution.
As Cannes Lions 2026 approaches, the spotlight on Acharya, Karmakar, Rai, and Marcondes highlights a future where creativity is measured not only by originality, but by relevance, responsibility, and resilience. Their leadership will shape global conversations around what meaningful creativity looks like in an era defined by complexity and change.
In many ways, these appointments mark a coming-of-age moment for India on the world’s most prestigious creative stage. The festival that once primarily celebrated artistic brilliance now acknowledges the power of insight, empathy, and strategic thinking—areas where Indian leaders are making a decisive impact.
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