Gerety Awards announces 2026 global executive jury
The Gerety Awards' full global executive jury for its 2026 edition has been announced. These professionals will sit across 15 in-person jury sessions worldwide, evaluating the work that will shape the benchmark for creativity in 2026.
The Gerety Awards full global executive jury for its 2026 edition has been announced (Image source @The All Industry Club The All Industry Club)
The jury brings together an international collective of creative leaders who will define this year’s shortlist.
This follows the announcement of jury presidents and global judging locations.
From creatives and strategists to producers, filmmakers, brand leaders and social specialists, the jury represents the full breadth of the communications industry — reflecting the diverse perspectives that the Gerety Awards was founded to champion.
Executive judging sessions will take place in London, Auckland, Toronto, New York, Paris, Stockholm, Hong Kong, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, Mexico City, Bangkok, Los Angeles, Berlin and São Paulo.
Each session brings together influential regional voices who understand how work resonates locally, while collectively contributing to a global creative standard.
More than 260 judges from 50 countries will join the 2026 Gerety Awards.
MEA executive jury
Aya Ahmad Maher, head of research & innovation, Whizz Film, Saudi Arabia
Damayanti Purkayastha, head of strategy, Mullenlowe MENA, UAE
Giorgia Fattoracci, creative director & creative strategist, Edelman, UAE
Marisa Lawson, head of growth, Publicis Groupe MENA, UAE
Megan Fowkes, global prompt engineering champion, Serviceplan Middle East, UAE
Mirna Eskarous, regional director - The Studio MENA Creative Director, Burson, UAE
Nelly Saad, regional managing director, MEA, .Monks, UAE
Oyinade Osobajo, head - commercial banking, Optimus Bank Limited, Nigeria
Theodora Gabrah, senior manager, corporate communication, Emirates Global Aluminium, UAE
Toni Hughes, executive creative director, Ogilvy One, South Africa
Dubai executive jury
Vidya Manmohan, founder and CCO, V4GOOD
Oyinade Osobajo, head - commercial banking, Optimus Bank Limited
Aya Ahmad Maher, head of research & innovation, Whizz Film
Toni Hughes, executive creative director, Ogilvy One
Damayanti Purkayastha, head of strategy, Mullenlowe MENA
Marisa Lawson, head of growth, Publicis Groupe MENA
Mirna Eskarous, regional director - The Studio MENA Creative Director, Burson
Nelly Saad, regional managing director MEA, .Monks
Theodora Gabrah, senior manager, corporate communication, Emirates Global Aluminium
Giorgia Fattoracci, creative director & creative strategist, Edelman
Megan Fowkes, global prompt engineering champion, Serviceplan Middle East
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Gerety Awards 2026 reveals influential leaders for cross-continental jury sessions
27 Jan 2026
Vidya Manmohan, Founder & CCO, V4GOOD, jury president for the Dubai executive jury of the Gerety Awards says serving as president is incredibly meaningful to her, both professionally and personally.
“The super-talented women joining this jury are not only exceptional creative leaders - they are bold thinkers, changemakers, and voices actively shaping the future of our industry.
“What excites me most is the richness of perspective in this room: different backgrounds, different experiences, but a shared belief in the power of creativity to make a positive impact.
“To lead this session in Dubai, a city that thrives on ambition and possibility, feels truly special. I’m looking forward to the conversations, the debates, and ultimately championing work that challenges norms and raises the bar for what creative excellence can be.”
Beyond Judging
Alongside the judging sessions, Gerety will host a series of industry events and talks in several of the host cities like London, Bangkok, New York, Berlin, Melbourne and Paris — creating space for conversation, connection and shared thinking around the ideas shaping creativity today.
More information: here.
The Early Bird deadline is 13 March.
Gerety welcomes submissions across all categories, including the newly introduced Moments Cut — celebrating work that captures the cultural moments shaping our world right now.
Eligible entries must have been broadcast, published or released in a commercial environment with client approval between 1 January 2025 and the final entry deadline.
Work is judged on two core principles: the originality of the creative idea and the quality of its execution.
Submit your at GeretyAwards.com.