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Toyin Saraki Again!Makes History as Nigeria’s First Cannes Lion Judge

Published

8 years ago

June 21, 2018

Editor

Founder/President Wellbeing Foundation Africa, HE Mrs Toyin Saraki has made history as she has been appointed Nigeria’s first representative among the famous Cannes Lions Jury.

According to an official release from the organisers of the event, which is regarded as the World Cup of the creative industry, Mrs. Saraki was chosen along with representatives from Georgia, Kenya and Sri Lanka to join the Jury which has representatives from 50 different countries..

Mrs Saraki is to judge works in the Glass: Lion of Change Category which has Madonna Badger, Founder/Chief Creative Officer, Badger & Winters, USAas Jury President. The other members of the pane are:
Tea Uglow, Creative Director, Google, APAC
Rupen Desai, Vice Chairman for Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Edelman, APACMEA
Judy John, CEO, Canada & Chief Creative Officer, North America, Leo Burnett
Jean Batthany, VP, Creative, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Global
Deidre Smalls-Landau, EVP, Global Chief Cross-Cultural Officer, UM and EVP, Managing Director of IDENTITY, Global
Charlotte Beers, Speaker, Author, Former CEO, Ogilvy & Mather, Global
Toyin Ojora Saraki, Philanthropist, Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Nigeria
David Guerrero, Creative Chairman, BBDO Guerrero, The Philippines
Rafael Rizuto, Chief Creative Officer – Founder, TBD, USA

ose Papa, Managing Director of Cannes Lions said: “The job of the Cannes Lions jury is to act as the custodians of creativity and celebrate work that demonstrates the value of creativity in all its forms. We are committed to ensuring that our juries include a diverse range of people from across the branded communications ecosystem.”

Last year the Festival announced new Lions with the introduction of a new Awards architecture to better reflect and support the fast-moving creative industries. These Lions include Creative eCommerce Lions, Brand Experience & Activation Lions, Social & influencer Lions, Sustainable Development Goals Lions and the Industry Craft Lions. An overall reduction in the number of categories within individual Lions refined the focus, while new categories were introduced to reflect how creative companies are operating.

“Cannes Lions is now in its 65th year and in that time the industry, and the organisations operating within it, has changed dramatically. These new specialised Lions require a broader range of skills and experience which will ultimately help expand our perspective of creative excellence,” said Terry Savage, Chairman, Cannes Lions. “The Lions are constantly evolving, just as the industry is, and our jury members are fundamental to ensuring that we keep creativity at the core of what we do.”

The 2018 Cannes Lions Awards will be presented at ceremonies taking place each evening throughout the Festival from the 18-22 June.

The 2018 members are:

Brand Experience & Activation Lions
Rob Reilly, Global Creative Chairman, McCann Worldgroup, Global – Jury President
Guillermo Tragant, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Furia, Argentina
Geert Verdonck , Creative Director, TBWA\Belgium, Belgium
Fernando Guntovitch, Founder/CEO, The Group, Brazil
Nuala Byles, EVP, Executive Creative Director, Geometry, Canada
Martin Vinacur, President and Executive Creative Director, AldeA Santiago, Chile
Vivian Yong, Executive Creative Director, Wieden+Kennedy, China
Radouane Hadj Moussa, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Prague, Czech Republic
Juan Manuel Koenig, Chief Creative Officer, Koenig Communications, Ecuador
Souen Le Van, Creative Director, Buzzman, France
Giorgi Avaliani, Creative Director, Leavingstone, Georgia
Sandra Loibl, Executive Creative Director, Serviceplan, Germany
Josh Mullens, Global EP & Head of Projects, Will O’Rourke Experiential, Global
Beatrice Remy, Managing Director, LORE, Hong Kong
Levente Kovacs, Chief Creative Officer, White Rabbit Budapest, Hungary
Brijesh Jacob, Chief Creative Technologist, DDBMudra Group, India
Shani Gershi, VP Creative, Freelance, Israel
Francesco Bozza, Chief Creative Officer, FCB, Italy
Satoshi Otsuka, Communication Architect/Digital Creative, ADK, Japan
Marialejandra Urbina, Director of Planning and Strategy, MullenLowe Group, LATAM
Yasmina Baz, Regional Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Lebanon
Alexis Ospina, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R, Mexico
Emily Beautrais, Creative Director, Clemenger BBDO, New Zealand
Lanre Adisa, Managing Director & Chief Creative Officer, Noah’s Ark, Nigeria
Ester Hjellum, Senior Art Director and Partner, Try, Norway
Juan Pablo Peschiera, Creative Director, Publicis, Peru
Agnieszka Klimczak, Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Poland
Pedro Pires, Founder Partner, Solid Dogma, Portugal
Johanna Santiago, Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Puerto Rico
Irina Pencea, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Jazz, Romania
Daniele Pancetti, Executive Creative Director, FCB Moscow, Russia
Primus Nair, Executive Creative Director, BBDO Singapore, Singapore
Matt Ross, Executive Creative Director, King James, South Africa
Victoria Sunmie Lhie, Director of Experience Strategy, Cheil Worldwide, South Korea
Gil Blancafort, CEO and Founder, Yslandia, Spain
Linnea Lofjord, Head of Brand Design, NordDDB, Sweden
Dennis Lueck, Chief Creative Officer, Jung von Matt/Limmat, Switzerland
Satit Jantawiwat, Chief Creative Officer, Cheil, Thailand
Darre Van Dijk, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\Neboko, The Netherlands
Lize Karaboga, Managing Partner, Ultra, Turkey
Juliana Paracencio, Regional Creative Director, Memac Ogilvy & Mather Dubai, UAE
Vicki Maguire, Joint Chief Creative Officer, Grey Global, UK
Shirin Majid, Executive Creative Director, Cake, UK
Tiffany Rolfe, Chief Creative Officer and Partner, Co:collective, USA
Menno Kluin, Chief Creative Officer, 360i, USA

Creative Data Lions
Marc Maleh, Global Director, Havas, Global – Jury President
Kim Bartkowski, Creative Director, Associate Partner, IBM iX, Australia
Alex Cheng, Vice President, Baidu and Chief Technology Officer, Baidu Search, China
Paola Aldaz, VP Marketing, Mastercard, Colombia
Chloe Hawking, Chief Digital Director, OMG, EMEA
Kim O’Brien, Director, Data Science & Analytics, Publicis.Sapient, Global
Ryota Mochizuki, Managing Director, Accenture Interactive, Japan
Bas Korsten, Creative Partner, J. Walter Thompson Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Sebastian Tomich, SVP, Global Head of Advertising & Marketing Solutions, The New York Times, USA
Amy Avery, Chief Intelligence Officer, Droga5, USA

Creative eCommerce Lions
Nick Law, Global Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe and President of Publicis Communications, Global – Jury President
Cheelip Ong, Group Chief Creative Officer, 180.ai, Asia
Andrea Siqueira, Executive Creative Director, Isobar, Brazil
Dan Burdett, Senior Director of Marketing Innovation and Head of EMEA Marketing Lab, eBay, EMEA
Minah Kim, Director of User Experience, Cheil Worldwide, Global
Daniel Bonner, Global Chief Creative Officer, Wunderman, Global
Gemma Spence, Head of eCommerce, PHD Media Global Business, Global
Eric Jannon, VP Executive Creative Director, R/GA New York, USA

Creative Effectiveness Lions
Fernando Machado, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Burger King, Global – Jury President
Paula Lindenberg, Vice President Marketing, AB-Inbev, Brazil
Harjot Singh, Chief Strategy Officer, McCann Worldgroup, EMEA
Jonny Bauer, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Droga5, Global
Michael Houston, Worldwide CEO, Grey Group, Global
Anuraag Trikha, Global Director, Marketing Communications, Heineken, Global
Kristina Duncan, VP Global Marketing Communications Barbie, Mattel, Global
Brent Nelsen, Chief Strategy Officer, Leo Burnett, North America
Jeeyoung Park, SVP, Corporate Communications & Head of Brand Marketing, Hanwha Group, South Korea
Crystal Rix, Chief Strategy Officer, BBDO New York, USA

Design Lions
Johnny Tan, Executive Creative Director, 72andSunny, APAC – Jury President
Dominic Hofstede, Executive Creative Director, Maud Melbourne, Australia
Giovanni Vannucchi, Partner, Oz Estratégia+Design, Brazil
Vanessa Eckstein, Creative Director/Founder, Blok Design, Canada
Julia Deshayes, Art Director, TBWA\Paris, France
Katrin Oeding, CEO & Creative Director, Studio Oeding, Germany
Thomas Holst Sørensen, Creative Director, Global Design Innovation, LEGO, Global
Greg Quinton, Chief Creative Officer, Superunion, Global
Connie Birdsall, Sr. Partner and Global Creative Director, Lippincott, Global
Lulu Raghavan, Managing Director, Landor, India
Yuri Uenishi, Art Director, Dentsu Inc., Japan
Leonid Feigin, Creative Director, DDVB, Russia
Carola Gerlach, Former Creative Director, FutureBrand, Singapore
Vumile Mavumengwana, Designer, Creative Director, VM DSGN, South Africa
Ali Rez, Regional Creative Director – Middle East and Pakistan, BBDO, UAE

Digital Craft Lions
Jean Lin, Global CEO, Isobar, Global – Jury President
Saulo Rodrigues, VP, Executive Creative Director, Visual Design, R/GA, Brazil
Sanne Drogtrop, Head of Integrated Production, Wieden+Kennedy Shanghai, China
Madison Wharton, Global Chief Production Officer, Kirshenbaum Bond Senegal & Partners, Global
Cathrine Movold, Service Designer and Digital Product Strategist, Catalyst Business Design, Norway
Jeroen van der Meer, Executive Creative Director, MediaMonks, The Netherlands
Karen Boswell, Head of Innovations, adamandeveDDB, UK
Steve Jelley, Managing Director, Hammerhead VR, UK
Jennifer McBride, Director of Digital & Innovation, J. Walter Thompson, USA
Resh Sidhu, Creative Director, AKQA, USA

Direct Lions
Susan Credle, Global Chief Creative Officer, FCB, Global – Jury President
Sergio Pollaccia, Chief Creative Officer/CEO, AMEN, Argentina
Jim Ingram, Founder & Chief Creative Tinker, Thinkerbell, Australia
Sophie De Plecker, Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Belgium
Paulo Coelho, Co-President & Chief Creative Officer, DM9DDB, Brazil
Barbara Williams, Executive Creative Director, Track DDB & Tribal Worldwide, Canada
Francisco Cavada, Executive Creative Director, Y&R Santiago, Chile
Daniel Bermudez, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, FANTÁSTICA / BOMBAI, Colombia
Klara Palmer, Group Creative Director, McCann Prague, Czech Republic
Michael Robert, Chief Creative Officer/Co-Founder, ROBERT/BOISEN & Like-minded, Denmark
Luis Campoverde, General Creative Director, Véritas DDB & Tribal Worldwide, Ecuador
Gaëtan du Peloux, Creative Director, Marcel Paris, France
Felix Fenz, Executive Creative Director, Grabarz & Partner, Germany
Gerrit Zinke, Managing Director and Partner, thjnk Hamburg, Germany
Carol Lam, President & Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett, Greater China
Prateek Bhardwaj, National Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup, India
Gina Ridenti, Group Executive Creative Director, TBWA, Italy
Shota Hatanaka, Integrated Campaign Director, Hakuhodo Kettle, Japan
Paola Mounla, Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Lebanon
Rocío Cuadra, Vice President Creative, Only If, Mexico
Lisa Fedyszyn, Group Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather, New Zealand
Alexander Gjersøe, Creative Director & Partner, SMFB Oslo, Norway
Juan Carlos Gomez De La Torre, President, Chief Creative Officer, Circus Grey, Peru
Tomás Froes, Founder & Owner, MSTF Partners, Portugal
Sebastian Olar, Co-Creative Director, MAINSTAGE THE AGENCY, Romania
Polina Maguire, Creative Director, Havas, Russia
Lizi Hamer, Regional Creative Director, Octagon, Singapore
Neo Segola, Creative Director, FCB, South Africa
Kiyoung Kim, Executive Creative Director, Innocean Worldwide, South Korea
Anthony Chelvanathan, Group Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Sri Lanka
Karin Frisell, Senior Creative, Forsman & Bodenfors, Sweden
Sandra Genge, Managing Partner, Creative Strategy, FOUR Werbeagentur AG, Switzerland
Subun Khow, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu One (Bangkok), Thailand
Kalle Hellzen, Executive Creative Director, 180 Kingsday, The Netherlands
Can Faga, Executive Creative Director, Publicis Istanbul, Turkey
Kapil Bhimekar, Associate Creative Director, Y&R Dubai, UAE
Victoria Fox, CEO, LIDA, UK
Katrina Encanto, Creative Director, MullenLowe London, UK
Corinna Falusi, Chief Creative Officer & Partner, Mother NY, USA
Alfonso Marian, Co-Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather, USA
Chacho Puebla, Chief Creative Officer & Friend, MullenLowe, Western Europe & LATAM

Entertainment Lions
Debbi Vandeven, Global Chief Creative Officer, VML, Global – Jury President
Claudia Cristovao, Head of Brand Studio, Google, APAC
Lisa Buchan, Director, Lisa Buchan Consultancy, EMEA
Alexandra Ouzilleau, Global Head of Entertainment Partnerships, Havas Group, France
Alexandre Tan, VP Advertising & Brand Partnerships, Gameloft, France
Nils Rottsahl, Head of Edelman.ergo STUDIOS & Executive Producer, Edelman.ergo, Germany
Andre Llewellyn, Global Brand Strategy, Instagram, Global
Rafael Lazarini, Senior Vice President, Head of Business Development, Live Nation Entertainment, LATAM
Walid Kanaan, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\RAAD, MENA
Reed Collins, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather, North Asia
Miguel Bemfica, Chief Creative Officer, MRM McCann, Spain
Alice Chou, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Taiwan
Bas Verhart, Founder, THNK School of Creative Leadership and DFFRNT Media, The Netherlands
Luke Southern, Managing Director, DRUM, UK
Jez Nelson, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, Somethin’ Else, UK
Kristin Greene, Co-Founder/Principal, Flashpoint PR, USA
Elizabeth Lindsey, Managing Partner, Wasserman, USA
Ari Halper, Chief Creative Officer, FCB New York, USA
Rebecca Skinner, Managing Director / Executive Producer, Superprime Films, USA
Amy Emmerich, Chief Content Officer, Refinery29, USA

Film Lions
Luiz Sanches, Partner & Chief Creative Officer, AlmapBBDO, Brazil – Jury President
Laura Visco, Creative Director, 72andSunny Amsterdam, Argentina
Jen Speirs, Deputy Executive Creative Director, BMF, Australia
Laura Esteves, Creative Director, Y&R, Brazil Helen Pak, Chief Creative Officer, Grey Group Canada and President, Grey Toronto, Canada
Thomas Hoffmann, Creative Director and Owner, & Co., Denmark
Steffen Bärenfänger, Executive Creative Director, Mackevision, Germany
Fred Levron, Worldwide Creative Partner, FCB, Global
Senthil Kumar, Chief Creative Officer, J. Walter Thompson, India
Stefania Siani, Executive Creative Director, DLV BBDO, Italy
Takayuki Niizawa, Senior Creative Director, TBWA\Hakuhodo, Japan
Ariel Soto, VP & Chief Creative Officer, BBDO, Mexico
Koh Hwee Peng, Creative Partner, Blak Labs, Singapore
George Low, Creative Director, TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris JHB , South Africa
Isahac Oliver, Executive Creative Director, &Rosàs, Spain
Gustav Egerstedt, Executive Creative Director, Saatchi & Saatchi, Sweden
Asawin Phanichwatana, Executive Creative Director, GREYnJ UNITED, Thailand
Jessica Kersten, Co-Founder & Creative Director, Cloudfactory, The Netherlands
Valentine Freeman, Creative Director and Filmmaker, Other Animals, Inc., USA
Sally-Ann Dale, Chief Creation Officer, Droga5, USA

Film Craft Lions
Diane McArter, Founder & President, Furlined, Global – Jury President
Colin Renshaw, VFX Supervisor, Company Director, Alt.vfx, Australia
Alberto Lopes, Partner & Executive Producer, Vetor Zero, Brazil
Vibeke Nannerup, Founder & CEO, Liquidminds, Denmark
Dushan Drakalski, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R Productions, Europe
Masato Kosukegawa, Creative Director, Shiseido, Japan
Nick Bailey, Chairman, Independent, The Netherlands
James Bland, Partner, Blink, UK
Diane Jackson, Chief Production Officer, DDB Chicago, USA
Oliver Fuselier, Managing Partner, Tool of North America, USA
Gayle McCormick, Executive Producer, Ogilvy & Mather, USA

Glass: The Lion for Change
Madonna Badger, Founder/Chief Creative Officer, Badger & Winters, USA – Jury President
Tea Uglow, Creative Director, Google, APAC
Rupen Desai, Vice Chairman for Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Edelman, APACMEA
Judy John, CEO, Canada & Chief Creative Officer, North America, Leo Burnett
Jean Batthany, VP, Creative, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, Global
Deidre Smalls-Landau, EVP, Global Chief Cross-Cultural Officer, UM and EVP, Managing Director of IDENTITY, Global
Charlotte Beers, Speaker, Author, Former CEO, Ogilvy & Mather, Global
Toyin Ojora Saraki, Philanthropist, Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Nigeria
David Guerrero, Creative Chairman, BBDO Guerrero, The Philippines
Rafael Rizuto, Chief Creative Officer – Founder, TBD, USA

Health & Wellness Lions
R.John Fidelino, Executive Creative Director, InterbrandHealth, Global – Jury President
Carol Ong, President, Bebebalm, Asia
Cherie Davies, Creative Director, Sudler & Hennessey, Australia
Bruno Abner Rebelo, Creative Director, McCann Health, Brazil
Andre Hansen, Creative Director, Anthill Agency, Denmark
Orla Burke, Partner, EMEA Healthcare co-Lead, FleishmanHillard, EMEA
Tom Richards, Chief Creative Office, Havas Lynx, Europe
Alok Gadkar, General Manager & Executive Creative Director, The Classic Partnership, UAE
Melissa de Lusignan, Group Creative Director, The Hive Group, UK
Stephanie Berman, Former Partner & Chief Creative Officer, The Bloc, USA
Collette Douaihy, EVP, Executive Creative Director, Digitas Health, USA

Industry Craft Lions
Yang Yeo, Creative Kaiju , Hakuhodo Inc., APAC – Jury President
Alessandra Sadock, Creative Director, Artplan, Brazil
Kaz Tsuburaku, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Shanghai, China
Tereza Sverakova, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R Prague, Czech Republic
Abbie Walsh, Group Director, Fjord, EALA
Cristiana Boccassini, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Italy, Italy
Osborne Macharia, Owner & Photographer, K63 Studio, Kenya
Oskar Lübeck, Founder & Executive Creative Director, Bold, Sweden
Susan Young, EVP, Executive Creative Director, McCann New York, USA
Alvar Suñol, Co-President & Chief Creative Officer, ALMA DDB, USA

Innovation Lions
Tor Myhren, VP Marketing Communications, Apple, Global – Jury President
Eco Moliterno, Chief Creative Officer, Accenture Interactive, Brazil
Bessie Lee, Founder & CEO, Withinlink, China
Frederic Josue, Director of 18 (Havas X) and Global Executive Advisor, Havas, Global
Tessa Conrad, Global Director of Operations, TBWA & DAN Worldwide, Global
Perry Nightingale, Executive Creative Technologist, Grey Global, Global
Eran Gefen, Founder, Gefen Team – Innovation Agency, Israel
Johan Pihl, Creative Director, Great Works, Sweden
Thecla Schaeffer, Chief Marketing Officer, G-Star, The Netherlands
Tracey Follows, Head of Strategy, Wired Consulting, WIRED, UK

Media Lions
Tim Castree, Global CEO, Wavemaker, Global – Jury President
Martin Guirado, President, IPG Mediabrands, Argentina
Fiona Johnston, CEO, UM, Australia
Sophie Van Laer, Strategy Director, Initiative, Belgium
Cesar Toledo, Media VP, Tribal Worldwide, Brazil
Alain Desormiers, CEO, PHD and Touché!, Canada
Amrita Randhawa, CEO Asia Pacific & Executive Chair, Mindshare, China
Javier Urbaneja, Chief Creative Officer, Havas Tribu, Costa Rica
Stine Halberg, CEO, Publicis Media, Denmark
Hernando Eslava, Chief Executive Media Agencies, Peña Defilló Group, Dominican Republic
Neil Hurman, Chief Advisory Officer, OMD, EMEA
Chris Skinner, President, UM, EMEA
Andreas Bahr, Founder and Member of the Board, Fluent AG, Europe
Severine Six, CEO, All Response Media, France
Tino Krause, CEO, Mediacom, Germany
Greg James, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Havas Media Group, Global
Izzy Hedges, EVP, International Media, Vizeum, Global
Nigel Conway, Head of Global Media, Nestle, Global
Rajni Menon, CEO, Carat, India
Ran Bar- On, CEO & Partner, Mediacom, Israel
Chiara Tescari, Managing Partner, OMD, Italy
Sanshiro Shimada, General Manager, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Japan
Lina Rivero, Strategy & Innovation Director, Havas, LATAM
Ravi Rao, CEO, Mindshare, MENA
Marta Ruiz-Cuevas, CEO, Publicis Media, Mexico
Nigel Douglas, CEO, OMD, New Zealand
Marie-Louise Alvær, Managing Director, PHD, Norway
Patrick Van Ginhoven, CEO, OMG, Peru
Dana Bulat, General Manager, United Media Services, Romania
Natalia Kiryanova, CEO, Wavemaker, Russia
Wayne Bishop, Managing Director, PHD, South Africa
Ester Garcia Cosin, General Manager, Havas Media Group, Spain
Niclas Fröberg, Chairman & Founder, Tre Kronor Media, Sweden
Nannette Passberg, Account Director, Carat, Switzerland
Pathamawan Sathaporn, Managing Director, Mindshare, Thailand
Danielle Pak, Head of Comms & Digital Strategy, Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tolga Uner, CEO, Mediacom, Turkey
Amy Armstrong, CEO, Initiative, USA
Diana Bojaj, EVP, Managing Partner, Global Connections Planning, UM/J3 , USA
Kendra Hatcher King, VP, Strategy and Consulting, South Region Lead, SapientRazorfish, USA

Mobile Lions
Jay Morgan, Innovations Director, The Monkeys, Australia – Jury President
Fabio Simoes, Executive Creative Director & Digital Creative Director, FCB , Brazil
Fura Johannesdottir, VP Executive Creative Director, Publicis.Sapient, EMEA
Aurélie de Villeneuve, Executive Creative Director, 5emeGauche Herezie Group, France
Oliver Drost, Chief Creative Officer, deepblue networks, Germany
Andrew Keller, Global Creative Director, Facebook Creative Shop, Global
Flavio Fabbri, Digital Chief Creative Officer, Armando Testa Group, Italy
Kyoko Yonezawa, Creative Technologist, Dentsu Inc., Japan
Harsh Kapadia, Executive Creative Director, VML, UK
Ari Weiss, Chief Creative Officer NA, DDB Worldwide, USA

Entertainment Lions for Music
Lori Feldman, EVP Strategic Marketing, Warner Bros. Records, USA – Jury President
Kito Siqueira, Music & Sound Producer, Satellite Audio, Brazil
Jeannette Perez, President of Global Synch & Brand Partnerships, Kobalt | AWAL, Global
Jackie Jantos, Vice President, Brand & Creative, Spotify, Global
Leo Premutico, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Johannes Leonardo, Global
Sander van Maarschalkerweerd, Founding Partner & CEO, Sizzer Group, The Netherlands
Mike O’Keefe, VP 4th Floor Creative, Sony Music , UK
Jocelyn Brown, Executive Producer, Squeak E Clean Productions, USA
Joel Simon, CEO & Chief Creative Officer, JSM Music, USA

Outdoor Lions
Chris Garbutt, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA, Global – Jury President
Mariana Borga, Creative Director, J. Walter Thompson, Brazil
Stephan Vogel, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather, EMEA
Jean-François Sacco, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, Rosapark, France
Jayanta Jenkins, Global Group Creative Director, Twitter, Global
Pallavi Chakravarti, Executive Creative Director, Taproot Dentsu, India
Daniel Kee, Executive Creative Director, MullenLowe, Singapore
Damisa Ongsiriwattana, Co-Founder/ Executive Creative Director, SOUR Bangkok, Thailand
Erica Hoholick, President, phenomenon, USA

Pharma Lions
Rich Levy, Chief Creative Officer, FCB Health, Global – Jury President
Shefali Srinivas, VP, Health Lead, Asia Pacific, WE Communications, APAC
Patrick Ackmann, Executive Creative Director, WEFRA, Germany
Oliver Caporn, Worldwide Creative Director and Executive Director, CDM London, Global
Renata Florio, Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Health and Wellness, Global
Lyndon Louis, Senior Creative Director, Havas Live Sorento, India
Paola Figueroa, Creative VP, Made, Mexico
John Scott, Creative Director, Ward6, Singapore
Victoria McGee, Associate Creative Director, Langland, UK
Carolyn O’Neill, Chief Creative Officer, Centron NY, USA

PR Lions
Stuart Smith, Global CEO, Ogilvy PR, Global – Jury President
Cassandra Cheong, Founder, Accenzvision, APAC
Damian Martinez Lahitou, CEO, Feedback PR, Argentina
Aden Ridgeway, Partner, Cox Inall Ridgeway, Australia
Patricia Bartuira, Director, FleishmanHillard, Brazil
Mia Pearson, CEO, MSL, Canada
Darren Burns, President, China, and Chair, Creativity & Innovation, Asia Pacific, Weber Shandwick
Andres Ortiz, Senior Partner, Dattis, Colombia
Anders Sigsgaard-Rasmussen, Head of Insight, Radius Kommunication, Denmark
Arnaud Pochebonne, General Manager, Weber Shandwick, France
Mirko Kaminski, CEO, achtung!, Germany
Lesley Sillaman, Senior Vice President, Havas PR, Global
Cecile Nathan-Tilloy, Managing Director – Global Client Relationship, Edelman Intelligence, Global
Alan VanderMolen, President International, WE Communications, Global
Valerie Pinto, CEO, Weber Shandwick, India
Ishteyaque Amjad, Public Affairs & Communications, Coca-Cola, India & South West Asia
Elisabeth Leriche, Advertising, Digital & CRM Manager, Renault, Italy
Tetsuji Hirose, Executive Officer, Dentsu Inc., Japan
Adriana Valladares, CEO, Burson Marsteller, Mexico
Gina McKinnon, General Manager, Fuse, New Zealand
Sindre Beyer, Head of PR and Content Marketing, Try, Norway
Agnieszka Bacińska, CEO, Walk PR, Poland
José Franco, Founder & CEO, Corpcom, Portugal
Andreea Grigorean, PR Officer, Publicis, Romania
Alexander Chernov, Board Member, SVP, Skolkovo Foundation, Russia
Ee Rong Chong, Group Managing Director, Ogilvy, Singapore
Michelle Tham, Managing Director, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Singapore and Malaysia
Higinio Martínez, CEO, Omnicom PR Group, Spain and Portugal
Mattias Ronge, Chairman, Creative Strategist, Edelman Deportivo, Sweden
David Schärer, Partner, Rod Kommunikation, Switzerland
Sorada Sonprasit, CEO, Brilliant & Million, Thailand
Wendeline Sassen, Strategy Director, Havas Lemz, The Netherlands
Ann Maes, Head of Influence, Ogilvy Amsterdam and Managing Director, Ogilvy Public Relations, The Netherlands and Belgium
Gizem Kececi, Director of Corporate Communications, Siemens, Turkey
Alex Malouf, Corporate Communications Manager, Arabian Peninsula, Procter & Gamble, UAE
Candace Kuss, Director of Social Media, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, UK
Ruth Yearley, Partner, Director of Insight and Strategy, Ketchum PR, UK
Denise Kaufmann, Partner, Director Client Development, North America, Ketchum, USA
Jaclyn Ruelle, SVP, Group Account Director, MullenLowe PR, USA
Tonya Veasey, President & CEO, OCGPR, USA

Print & Publishing Lions
Kate Stanners, Chairwoman & Global Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, Global – Jury President
Rodolfo Sampaio, Creative Partner, Moma Propaganda, Brazil
Jaime Mandelbaum, Chief Creative Officer, Y&R, Europe
Diego Medvedocky, Chief Creative Officer, Grey Group, LATAM
Marta Lluciá, Executive Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup, Spain
Livio Dainese, Chief Creative Officer & Co-CEO, Wirz BBDO, Switzerland
Leigh Reyes, President & Chief Creative Officer, MullenLowe, The Philippines
Rosie Arnold, Creative Partner & Head of Art, AMV BBDO, UK
Justine Armour, Executive Creative Director, 72andSunny NYC, USA

Product Design Lions
Asif Khan, Architect, Asif Khan Ltd, Global – Jury President
Christiane Bausback, Managing Director + Head of Design, N+P Industrial Design, Germany
Jeremy Lindley, Global Design Director, Diageo, Global
Darshan Gandhi , Head of Design, Godrej Consumer Products, India
Raffaella Citterio, Head of Experience, Interbrand, Italy
Naoki Ono, Copywriter/Product Designer, Hakuhodo, Japan
Per Ivar Selvaag, Principal, Montaag, Norway
Alex Hulme, Director, Map Project Office, UK
Victoria Slaker, VP, Industrial Design, Ammunition, USA
Rei Inamoto, Founding Partner, Inamoto & Co, USA

Radio & Audio Lions
Jo McCrostie, Creative Director, Global, UK – Jury President
Alvaro Rodrigues, Chief Creative Officer & CEO, Fullpack, Brazil
Jenny Smith, President / Creative Director, Ray, Canada
Matthias Storath, MD, Executive Creative Director, Heimat, Germany
Kerry Keenan, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Never The Less, Global
Toby Talbot, Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi, New Zealand
Hugo Delgado, General Director, Grupo RPP, Peru
Molefi Thulo, Creative Director, Ogilvy JHB, South Africa
Blanca Gomara, Executive Creative Director, Dimensión, Spain
Jill Kershaw, CEO, Executive Creative Director, Sound & Fury, USA

Sustainable Development Goals Lions
Mark Tutssel, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Global – Jury President
Akae Wang, Executive Creative Director, Tencent, China
Jean-Charles Caboche, Managing Director, BETC, France
Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division (Judging in Personal Capacity), United Nations, Global
Claudia Romo Edelman, Chair, We Are All Human Foundation and Co-Host, Global GoalsCast, Global
Kash Sree, Executive Creative Director, gyro, Global
Ariana Stolarz, Global Chief Strategy Officer, MRM//McCann, Global
Eduardo Maruri, President & CEO, Grey Latam, President & CCO Maruri Grey, LATAM
Gustavo Lauria, Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder, We Believers, USA
Tina Allan, EVP Director of Data Solutions, BBDO New York, USA

Social & Influencer Lions
Mark D’Arcy, VP, Chief Creative Officer, Facebook, Global – Jury President
Mônica Salgado, Journalist, Influencer, TV Presenter, Mônica Salgado, Brazil
Lennie Stern, Head of Creative and Entertainment Strategies, BETC, France
Ralf Osteroth, Senior VP Marketing & Sales, Studio71, Germany
Eric Edge, Head of Global Marketing Communications, Pinterest, Global
Anthony Svirskis, CEO, TRIBE, Global
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Otunba Adekunle Ojora: Farewell to a Good Man

Published

2 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The curtain dropped on the elitist life of prominent Lagosian, traditional custodian, boardroom guru, refined journalist and elaborate philanthropist, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, on January 28, 2026, bringing to an over nine decades of spreading good tidings, prosperity, unity and humanity. He was 93 years.

His death was announced via a statement by his daughter, Mrs Toyin Ojora-Saraki, on behalf of the Ojora Family, saying he died early in the morning in full submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT)

“With total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT), the Ojora family of Lagos hereby announces the passing of our beloved patriarch, Otunba Adekunle Ojora, the Otunba of Lagos and Lisa of Ife, who returned to his creator early this morning.

“We say Alhamdulilahi for a life well lived, and we comply with Allah’s words: ‘Surely, to Allah we belong, and to Him we will all return’ (Q2:156),” the statement reads.

A distinguished businessman, people-oriented-person, the Olori Omo Oba of Lagos and the Lisa of Ife, Adekunle Ojora’s passing came with a much ancipated heartbreak, wailings and regrets, among his hugely extended family members, circle of friends, mentees, colleagues in and across business and traditional terrain, associates and the well impacted general public.

With the announcement of his death came the heavy traffic of personalities, dignitaries and nobles to his Ikoyi palatial home, where his adorable wife, Ojuolape Ojora, and one of his distinguished daughters, Mrs Toyin Saraki, who is the wife of the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, played significant hosts.

President Bola Tinubu was one of the first mourners with a statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, acknowledging the dimunitive personality of the deceased, noting how he had affected humanity in a positive light.

Tinubu commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State, as well as the Ojora and Adele royal families.

“The passing of Otunba Ojora is a significant loss to the country, the private and public sectors, and traditional institutions,” the President said, describing the late industrialist as a man whose life was defined by humility, perseverance, hard work and generosity. He further noted that his values shaped his long and distinguished career.

“He remained a towering figure whose counsel and experience benefited institutions at both national and subnational levels,” Tinubu added.

In his condolence message, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Ojora’s death as painful, saying his absence would be difficult to fill, according to a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.

The ex-president described Ojora as “an amiable and distinguished Nigerian who, during his lifetime, built a remarkable legacy of integrity, wisdom, and unwavering dedication.”

“By his death, the country has lost a notable captain of industry and commerce, but there is no doubt that his memory lingers on through his many landmark contributions to the development of the South-West zone in particular, and the country in general,” Obasanjo added.

He also stated that “He was a remarkable entrepreneur whose vision, determination, and resilience added value to the community and to hundreds of families who depended on his commercial activities. He was a role model and exemplar whose personal life and achievements inspired a generation of entrepreneurs, industrialists, and merchants. Over the years, with his wise counsel, unquestioned strength, and gentle guidance, Otunba Ojora commanded respect and reverence, and took particular pleasure in mentoring younger men and women to succeed in life.”

Also reacting, a former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd) described Ojora as a “veteran journalist and boardroom titan”.

The former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army noted that he made positive contributions to the industrial and entrepreneurial sectors of the economy, lightened up the social fabric of his time in Lagos, in particular, and across our nation.

Among dignitaries that called to the home of the Ojora’s to express heartfelt condolences were the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke and his elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke; Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Femi Otedola and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel.

As a revered Muslim, versed in Islamic doctrines, the nonagenarian’s burial followed the very next day, drawing an avalanche of well wishers and mourners to the Central Mosque, on Lagos Island, where the funeral rites or the Janazah, led by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla, and assisted by other prominent Islamic clerics, were conducted, and finally to the Vaults and Garden, Ikoyi, where the remains were committed to mother-earth. The events were a meeting point of some sort, as they drew together prominent Islamic scholars, family members, political bigwigs and other distinguished guests.

A roll call of the elite callers at the events include the deceased’s wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora; his daughter, Toyin Ojora-Saraki, and her husband, former Senate President and Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki. Also in attendance were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly Ali Ahmad, former PDP National Chairman Kawu Baraje, Mufti of Ilorin Sheikh Sulaiman Onikijipa, and National President of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria Prince Adeniji Kazeem.

The burial ceremonies began with a recovery of the remains, which were borne by pallbearers for a burial procession before it was a motorcade bore it to the venue of the Janazah.

The long convoy of dignitaries that accompanied the body to the mosque spoke volumes of the personality of Adekunle Ojora. As the solenm approached, Imam Sulaiman Abou-Nolla led the congregation in prayers, asking for the repose of the siul of the deceased.

At the conclusion of the prayers, the body was conveyed to the Ikoyi Vault, where pallbearers and Muslim Ummah as well selected members of the family and notable dignitaries accompanied the remains, amid chants, to its final resting place.

THE MAN, OTUNBA ADEKUNLE OJORA

The highly principled businessman was born Isiaq Adekunle Ojora on June 13, 1932, into the distinguished Ojora Royal Family of Lagos, where he grew with a deeply-rooted tolerance for the history, culture and traditional governance of the Yoruba race and Lagos in particular.

His lineage placed him among the foremost royal families in the state, a heritage he upheld with dignity throughout his long life. Over several decades, he emerged as one of the most influential figures within Lagos’ traditional institutions, commanding respect across royal, cultural and civic circles.

Ojora was a member of the Ojora and Adele royal families of Lagos and was himself the holder of the chieftaincy of the Otunba of Lagos. He studied journalism at Regent Street Polytechnic, with the intention of developing a career in journalism. He started work as a staffer at the BBC where he rose to become an assistant editor.

In 1955, he switched his services to the Nigerian government as a reporter with the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. He was soon transferred to Ibadan as an information officer in the office of the regional premier. Ojora’s stint with NBC lasted until 1961 when he took up appointment as the public relations manager at United African Company.

Ojora soon developed interest in the commercial units of enterprises, he became an executive director of UAC in 1962. After a military coup truncated the first republic, Ojora was nominated as a member of Lagos City Council in 1966. A year later, he was given political appointments in two government agencies, in 1967, he was managing director of WEMABOD, a regional property and investment company and also in 1967, he succeeded Kola Balogun as chairman of Nigerian National Shipping Line.

After leaving WEMABOD, he became an investor in various firms including AGIP petroleum marketing and NCR Nigeria. He also founded the private firms Nigerlink Industries, Unital Builders and a holding company Lagos Investments. After the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Act, he took equity interest in some foreign companies operating in Nigeria such as investments in the Nigerian operations of Bowring Group, Inchape, Schlumberger, Phoenix Assurance, UTC Nigeria, Evans Brothers and Seven-Up. He married Erelu Ojuolape, and among their children is Toyin Saraki.

Beyond royalty, Otunba Ojora was widely regarded as a bridge between tradition and modern governance.

The Otunba Adekunle Ojora would be remembered as a quintessential gentleman, astute businessman, excellent in speech, dignified in conduct, and deeply respected across generations.

For as many as those who know him, Ojora has for decades, remained a familiar and revered presence in elite social and cultural spaces, where his highly sought-after counsel and calm disposition have proved relevant and needful.

He is also known for his refined lifestyle and strong family values, an embodiment of a “brand of old-school nobility that earned him admiration well beyond wealth or status. He was often described as a man of honour whose life reflected discipline, tradition, and unwavering integrity.

Otunba Adekunle Ojora is survived by his wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Headline

Incumbency Factor Will Not Determine 2027 Election, Atiku, Obi, Others Talk Tough

Published

3 days ago

January 29, 2026

Eric

The 2027 general elections will not be determined by incumbency, control of State power or wave of political defections, opposition leaders have declared.

They argued that voter choice, opposition unity, and the integrity of the electoral process would ultimately decide the outcome.

The opposition leaders made the declaration at the public launch of “The Loyalist,’’ a memoir by National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, in Abuja.

The event drew a wide mix of opposition leaders, former public office holders, lawmakers, intellectuals and party stakeholders.

Speakers included former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi; former Minister of Interior and ADC National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; former Senate President and ADC National Chairman, David Mark, and veteran columnist and public intellectual, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who reviewed the book.

Although convened as a book presentation, the gathering quickly assumed a strong political tone, with speakers repeatedly returning to the issues of opposition unity, leadership responsibility, and the limits of incumbency power, ahead of the next general election.

Addressing what he described as a growing misconception in Nigerian politics, Aregbesola argued that governors and incumbents do not automatically determine election outcomes.

Drawing on the 2023 electoral results, he said the belief that political office guaranteed victory was not supported by evidence.

“The fact that certain governors are defecting to the APC shows that our unity is weakened, but the statistics do not support the belief that governors win elections,” Aregbesola said.

Using the South-West as an example, he said ruling party dominance at the state level had not translated into overwhelming electoral success.

“In the South-West, the APC controlled all the states except one, yet the maximum performance of the party was 55 per cent, with the other parties sharing the rest,” he said.

On his part, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, speaking as special guest of honour, linked the political moment to the theme of the book, describing loyalty as both a moral test and a personal burden in public life.

Atiku, who noted that his participation was informed by his own role in the political history examined in the memoir, said: “I am honoured to be part of this launch because I was also involved in the eventual inauguration of the Bukola Saraki administration, which this book deals with in very great detail.’’

He praised the author for taking on difficult questions about loyalty and conscience, saying “this is a work that dares to question loyalties, illuminate conscience, and broaden our public imagination.’’

Drawing a contrast between military discipline and political life, Atiku said loyalty in politics was rarely absolute and often exacted a heavy price.

“For those of us who come from the military and paramilitary professions, loyalty is non-negotiable; there is only absolute obedience. But in political life, loyalty is not as rigid, and it comes with consequences,” he said.

The former vice president also spoke candidly about his own experiences.

“Many of us have suffered because of loyalty. I have faced exile as a result of loyalty. I have survived assassination attempts as a result of loyalty,” he said.

Atiku warned that loyalty should never become blind allegiance, adding that “loyalty should strengthen the common goal, not narrow the circle of belonging.’’

Similarly, a former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, who arrived late due to flight delays from Lagos, apologised for not observing traditional protocol before addressing the audience.

Obi also signalled political solidarity and regional commitment, saying: “I have been directed to represent the South-East, and I want to assure you that you will not be disappointed.’’

In one of the most direct political moments of the event, the author, Bolaji Abdullahi, appealed to opposition leaders to rise above rivalry and present a united front, ahead of 2027, adding that Nigerians were ready for change, though political leaders were not yet matching that urgency.

“For 2027, Nigerians are ready. But I don’t think we are ready. Nigerians look at us and see different enclaves and different entities. They see competition, rather than cooperation,” Abdullahi said.

Reviewing the book, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed said it initially provoked skepticism but ultimately impressed him.

“I brought to the book some prejudice and heightened curiosity. I expected the author to fall on his face somewhere. I was wrong,” he said.

He described the memoir as revealing and historically significant.

“This book is easily one of the most readable and revealing books I have read in a long while. It captures the essence of our contemporary social and political character,” Baba-Ahmed said.

Former Senate President, David Mark, described the task of rescuing Nigeria as a shared responsibility and praised Abdullahi’s character.

“He is a straightforward person. Even when I disagreed with him, his advice was always adopted,” Mark said.

He also clarified the long-standing controversy around the Doctrine of Necessity, saying “it was the sole responsibility of the Senate and had nothing to do with Kwara State or anyone from Kwara State.’’

Headline

Coup: Investigators Widen Probe Scope to Unmask Civilian Financiers

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

Eric

Fresh intelligence details have surfaced on the foiled coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, shedding light on how a serving Army Colonel allegedly assembled a covert, cross-service network to undermine the constitutional order before security agencies moved in.

The Defence Headquarters had announced the arrest of 16 officers for acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations, following weeks of quiet tension within the Armed Forces.

In October 2025, rumours of an alleged coup plot against President Tinubu’s administration spread across social media. At the time, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) dismissed the claims as “false and misleading,” yet the sudden cancellation of the Independence Day parade fuelled speculation about deeper security concerns.

However, fresh findings from an interim investigation report, sighted by Punch Newspapers, suggest that the alleged architect of the plot was a Colonel whose repeated failures in promotion examinations reportedly bred resentment and alienation. Rather than nursing his grievances quietly, he is said to have turned them into a recruitment tool, drawing officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force into a loose but coordinated network.

According to the report, members of the group were allegedly assigned to discreetly study sensitive installations, including the Presidential Villa, the Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja and international airports in Abuja and Lagos, mapping access routes, routines and vulnerabilities. What began as expressions of dissatisfaction soon graduated into early-stage operational planning.

Security sources say searches on the officer’s vehicle uncovered charms and anti-government materials, while a raid on his residence in Lokogoma, Apo, yielded sensitive documents detailing assigned roles and outlining how key national dignitaries were to be handled once the operation commenced.

The plotters are also said to have exploited insider access, infiltrating the Presidential Villa and compromising workers linked to construction firm Julius Berger to obtain security information on the premises. Encrypted communication platforms were allegedly used to coordinate movements, logistics and funding, while discreet vehicle repairs and unusual cash flows pointed to preparations for mobilisation.

Investigators traced financial inducements of between N2 million and N5 million to some principal actors, with intelligence agencies now analysing the money trail through the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

One of the suspects, Lt-Col S. Bappah, reportedly turned a critical witness, admitting his role and providing details on recruitment methods, funding channels and communication patterns within the network.

The danger, security officials note, lay in the cross-service reach of the conspiracy, which cut across the Army, Navy and Air Force and involved officers up to the rank of Brigadier-General.

The alleged plan, uncovered ahead of its execution date of October 25, 2025, was described as lethal in scope, with the President, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, ministers, service chiefs and other top officials marked as targets.

Beyond the military hierarchy, investigators are now widening the probe to civilian financiers and political contacts who may have interacted with the core suspects. Communication trails, financial flows and external interfaces are being reviewed as part of efforts to dismantle every layer of the network and secure strategic national assets.

With the investigation concluded and reports forwarded to superior authorities, the Defence Headquarters has confirmed that indicted personnel will face appropriate military judicial panels, as Nigeria’s security establishment moves to ensure that what officials describe as a well-funded, coordinated threat never advances beyond the planning stage.