Six New Zealanders on the Cannes Lions 2026 jury

Cannes Lions has released its jury line-up for the 2026 International Festival of Creativity, with six New Zealand representatives selected across this year's Awarding Juries.

For a market the size of New Zealand, six Awarding Jury appointments is a strong result.

A Cannes Lions Awarding Jury role places senior industry leaders in the room where international creative standards are set and work is awarded. Selection reflects professional credibility and industry trust at a high level.

New Zealand’s 2026 Awarding Jury representatives

• Leisa Wall, Chief Creative Officer, McCann New Zealand, Outdoor Lions
• Damon Stapleton, Chief Creative Officer, Droga5 ANZ, Industry Craft Lions
• Kim Pick, Group Executive Creative Director, VML New Zealand, Creative Commerce Lions
• Sam Stuchbury, Executive Creative Director and Founder, Motion Sickness, Creative B2B Lions
• Bethany Omeri, Head of Strategy, Special New Zealand, Creative Strategy Lions
• Hadleigh Sinclair, Group Creative Director, Colenso BBDO, Innovation Lions

The spread across categories is worth noting. New Zealand is represented across strategy, innovation, commerce, craft, and creative leadership. The line-up also includes representation from both network and independent agencies, which has long been a characteristic of how this industry is structured locally.

Several New Zealand professionals have also been selected for shortlisting juries across Brand Experience & Activation, Film Craft, Health & Wellness, Media, PR, and Film. Shortlisting juries assess entries before Awarding Juries make final decisions on Lions.

The 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity takes place in Cannes, France, in June 2026.