Cannes Lions has released its jury line up for the 2026 International Festival of Creativity, and New Zealand has six representatives across this year’s Awarding Juries.
For a market our size, that’s worth paying attention to.
Sitting on a Cannes Lions Awarding Jury is not an honorary title. It is a working role, one that puts you in the room where the global benchmark for creative excellence gets set. The people selected are there because their judgement is trusted internationally.
This year’s New Zealand representatives span Creative Strategy, Innovation, Creative Commerce, Industry Craft, Outdoor, and Creative B2B:
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
What’s notable is not just the number, but the spread. Alongside creative leadership, there is representation across strategy, innovation, commerce, and independent agencies.
That says something about where the industry is now. The work being recognised globally is increasingly shaped by more than one department alone.
There is also something reassuring about seeing independent agencies represented alongside large networks. New Zealand’s industry has always had mix of both which is probably one of its strengths.
In addition to the Awarding Jury appointments, several New Zealand industry professionals were also selected for Cannes Lions shortlisting juries across Brand Experience & Activation, Film Craft, Health & Wellness, Media, PR, and Film.
The 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity takes place in Cannes, France, in June 2026.