WPP Media’s Sindhuja Rai appointed president of Cannes Media Lions 2026 jury

Today, organizers of the 2026 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity have named Sindhuja Rai, WPP Media’s Chief Client Officer for APMEA (Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa), as President of this year’s Media Lions jury. This prestigious appointment reflects Rai’s considerable experience and expertise as well as the growing global importance of APMEA markets and WPP Media’s unique talent, influence, and leadership role in the global media landscape. 

As president, Rai will oversee the jury’s evaluation of the world’s most innovative and impactful media campaigns. She will guide the deliberation process that culminates in the selection of finalists, Special Awards, and ultimately, the coveted Grand Prix winners who set the benchmark for excellence in media creativity and strategy. 

WPP Media’s leadership role at Cannes 2026 builds on our standout performance at the 2025 festival during which our clients were awarded 77 Lions, including 9 Grand Prix and Titanium trophies, making WPP Media the festival’s most awarded media company. WPP Media agency brand Mindshare also made history, winning the Media Lions Grand Prix for ‘Dove Real Beauty Redefined for the AI Era’ – the first media agency to win the award outright since 2018.  

This consistent recognition underscores our commitment to delivering the industry’s most creative and effective work and leveraging the transformative power of media to drive intelligent growth for clients. Rai’s role leading the Media Lions jury for 2026 reinforces WPP Media’s position at the forefront of global media innovation. 

This year’s festival will be held in the south of France from June 22-26. For more information about jury appointments for the 2026 Cannes Lions, visit CannesLions.com.