McCann Worldgroup @ Cannes | Our People, Work and Agenda

Harjot Singh

McCann Worldgroup

Creative Effectiveness Jury President

Harjot Singh

McCann Worldgroup

Creative Effectiveness Jury President

Harjot Singh was named to the dual role of Global Chief Strategy Officer for McCann, and global Chief Strategy Officer, McCann Worldgroup, in January 2023.

This follows being named Global Chief Strategy Officer of McCann, the advertising agency brand, across McCann’s global network, in January 2021. He now leads the highly-regarded strategy discipline across all of McCann Worldgroup companies. Harjot previously served as the Chief Strategy Officer of McCann Worldgroup EMEA, the most creatively-effective agency network in Europe & UK.

An award-winning global strategist, Harjot is most drawn to people who are shaped by their interest in constant discovery, learning, open mindedness and exploration. He loves this business because he believes that brands and creativity have more power to change the world than governments do.

Harjot’s passion to excel at a creatively and commercially actionable understanding of people, brands and cultures has led him on a global career path spanning 25 years. He has lived and worked in 6 countries across 3 continents, delivering and shaping strategy solutions for some of the world’s most successful brands. Over the last 2 decades he has held senior, regional and global strategy leadership roles in Europe, UK, North America, China, and Asia.

Colleagues and clients across the world have consistently credited him with bringing clarity and inspiration from the complex, putting human and brand needs at the heart of any marketing response, and delivering measurable impact.

Harjot joined the global strategy leadership team at McCann Worldgroup in New York, in January 2011. He was subsequently promoted and transferred to the EMEA head quarters in London in January 2015. As Chief Strategy Officer of Europe and UK, Harjot leads strategy teams in over 20 countries across all McCann Worldgroup disciplines. He also oversees design, management and activation of content from Truth Central EMEA -the regional outpost of McCann Worldgroup’s proprietary, global intelligence unit, across the region .

Under Harjot’s leadership, McCann Worldgroup Europe and UK has set an unprecedented industry record being ranked the most effective agency network in the region for 5 consecutive years in the Effies, 2 consecutive years in WARC, and winning network of the year at the IPA awards in 2018.

Harjot is known for having a truly transformational style of leadership that is laser-focused on not only building a vision but creating the culture necessary to realize it. He is also recognized as a diversity and inclusion game changer who tirelessly promotes the creative and commercial advantage that comes with cultivating greater diversity, equity and inclusion.

Harjot has judged, spoken, advised and won awards at some of the most notable award shows and industry events including the Global, North American and Euro Effies, IPA awards, Adweek Europe, Spikes Asia, The Internationalist Awards, Golden Drum, Eurobest, WARC, Cannes Lions and many others.

Leonardo Chiesi

McCann Worldgroup Santiago

Entertainment Lions for Sport Jury

Leonardo Chiesi

McCann Worldgroup Santiago

Entertainment Lions for Sport Jury

Leo is a prominent Chilean creative with more than 18 years of experience in the advertising industry. During his professional career he has worked for renowned clients such as LATAM Airlines, Nestlé, Santander and NotCo, among others. His work has been recognized at various international prestigious creative festivals, including Cannes Lions, The One Show, LIA, Clios, El Ojo de Iberoamérica and Effie LATAM. In 2023, his work got a golden Lion and a Grand LIA and he was named Chilean Creative Director of the Year by El Ojo de Iberoamérica. He has also participated as a judge for different creative festivals including London International Awards, The One Show and Cannes Lions, bringing his unique vision to recognize and shape the best in the industry. Leo previously served as Chief Creative Officer for MRM Santiago and now in his new position as CCO of McCann Worldgroup Santiago, he will take the organization to a broader success while driving innovation and creativity across all operations of the group.

Carolyn Devanayagam

Weber Shandwick APAC

Creative B2B Jury

Carolyn Devanayagam

Weber Shandwick APAC

Creative B2B Jury

With a multi decade career covering Southeast Asia, China and the United States, Carolyn is recognized for her long-standing career with Weber Shandwick, and her extensive global experience working on some of the firm’s largest, multi-market clients.

Following her time at Weber Shandwick’s global HQ in New York, Carolyn is now based in APAC heading the firm’s Corporate Affairs practice.

As part of this portfolio, she oversees a suite of consulting that caters to C-suite needs and addresses the APAC nuanced landscape. She’s also the region’s Crisis head, working closely with corporates, NGO, and industry on issue management, story-telling, (counter) narrative, as well as preparedness including media and crisis training.

With the demand for organizational change and transformation on the rise, a significant part of Carolyn’s portfolio is working through the firm’s management consulting offer in organizational transformation.

As a global and regional client experience leader, she continues to play a strategic and advisory role with Weber Shandwick’s key global clients.

Carolyn is one of Campaign’s prestigious ‘Women to Watch’ and has also been a judge at Tangram’s, PRCA and Spikes Asia. She is a graduate of Australia’s RMIT University and holds an Executive MBA from Rutgers University.

Catalin Dobre

McCann Worldgroup Romania

Direct Jury

Catalin Dobre

McCann Worldgroup Romania

Direct Jury

Catalin Dobre is the Chief Creative Officer, Co-CEO of McCann Worldgroup Romania and CEE Creative Director. Catalin, a philosophy graduate, began working in advertising as a copywriter more than 20 years ago.

Over the years, he has won 4 Cannes Lions Grand Prix, 2 Titanium Lions and several Golds, Silvers and Bonzes for global brands like Mastercard, Vodafone, IKEA and Virgin Radio, as well as local brands like ROM, Beau Monde, Albalact or Untold.

Also, he scored awards in major international advertising shows, including D&AD, Clio, One Show, Eurobest, LIAs, New York Festivals, Cresta, and Golden Drum. He has proudly served on juries at D&AD, Clio, Eurobest, and the Golden Drum and was president of the Social and Influencer category at Dubai Lynx. Catalin was part of the first Romanian Forbes 30 under 30 Edition and received the Excellence Award two years later.

More so, he received the IAA Excellence Award, for creating the campaign that brought the first Cannes Grand Prix win to Eastern Europe and was part of Adweek’s Top 100 Creatives in 2019. In 2023 he entered the Hall of Fame of Golden Drum, the most important creativity festival in Central and Eastern Europe, as a recognition of his effort to push creativity forward in the region.

Federico Fanti

FP7 McCann

Audio & Radio Jury

Federico Fanti

FP7 McCann

Audio & Radio Jury

Federico is a global creative leader with over 20 years of experience across Europe, Russia, Asia, and the Middle East. During his extensive career in the FMCG sector, which he considers his “bread and butter,” he managed clients such as Barilla, Coca Cola, Snickers, Pepsi, Heinz, and Walls, among others. His expertise lies in cultivating client relationships and creating integrated campaigns, resulting in over 300 creative international awards.

Having worked with major networks like McCann-Erickson, Young & Rubicam, and BBDO, Federico has earned industry accolades at events including Cannes, Epica, D&AD, LIA, CLIO, Eurobest, and more. Notably, he led Young & Rubicam Moscow to its first Cannes Lion, establishing it as Russia’s top agency.

In the Philippines with BBDO Guerrero, Federico gained global recognition, ranking among the top 10 Executive Creative Directors worldwide in 2020. In 2022, he assumed the role of Chief Creative Officer at FP7McCann MENAT, securing 9 Cannes Lions in his first year.

Beyond advertising, Federico is a photographer with three personal exhibitions and is a Design & Art Direction Professor. He has served on national and international juries for prestigious awards like Cannes Young Lions, ADCI, Andy’s, Loeries, and more.

Thandeka Gilbert

McCann Joburg

Industry Craft Jury

Thandeka Gilbert

McCann Joburg

Industry Craft Jury

Thandeka is a multidisciplinary creative, born in Eswatini and raised in South Africa. She has led by example in her journey of representing women of colour in the advertising industry. Throughout her career that is over a decade long, she has created work for local & multinational creative agencies and has been privileged enough to work on numerous local, pan-African & global brands. She is versed in both art direction and copywriting, catapulting her career to a number of accolades – winning awards from the New York Festivals – Midas, Pendoring, Creative Circle, Loeries and Cannes Lions. All thanks to her love for creativity, from the age of 8 years old.

And through the late nights, early mornings, tears, joy, finalists, wins, almost wins and no wins, she tries to live by being as kind to herself as the world has raised us to be to others.

Amber Guild

McCann New York

Creative Business Transformation Jury

Amber Guild

McCann New York

Creative Business Transformation Jury

Amber Guild has served as the CEO of McCann New York since early 2023, and was appointed to the role because of her track record of driving business transformation, creative excellence and growth in the Advertising, Marketing, Media and Publishing industries for over 25 years.

Amber’s impact on the flagship office has been remarkable – instilling a new diverse executive leadership team (70% female, 50% people of color) united in their passion for creativity, industry innovation, and leading through the lens of belonging, equity and inclusion. Together, the team has reshaped the organization for agility, launched several new capabilities fueling their growth, and became the 2023 top awarded NY agency in Cannes.

Her robust career in the creative industry has included working for companies such as The New York Times, Ogilvy, COLLINS and T3, where she led her clients to innovate at the intersection of culture, media and technology. Her experiences have only strengthened her resolve that the multifaceted creativity needed for brands to have a profound impact on culture will only come from building a creative workplace that is inclusive, equitable and diverse.

Amber was recently named to Campaign’s 2024 class of Most Inspiring Women, has received the Publishers Award from The New York Times, has been featured in the book ‘Leap to Leader’ by Adam Bryant, and has appeared on The Today Show.

Amber sits on multiple boards, including the 4A’s, VCU Brandcenter, Blackweek, Saturday Morning, and 3% Movement.

Vanessa Ho Nikolovski

Weber Shandwick APAC

PR Jury

Vanessa Ho Nikolovski

Weber Shandwick APAC

PR Jury

Into her fourth decade of agency life spanning Hong Kong, New York and Singapore, Vanessa has worked with teams to build and grow some of the agency’s largest and most enduring regional client relationships.

At Weber Shandwick, she led the Singapore operation for a decade as a key regional hub for the network, while leading teams across the region for clients including Mastercard, HP, Philips, SABIC, GM, Abbott.

Now, as Chief Client & Growth Officer, Asia Pacific, she drives a client-centric focus that is rooted in earned attention and value. Championing new directions and incubating ideas for action, she charts the path for the way the agency collaborates and creates its best work at the intersections of culture, creativity, insight, and innovation.

She has helped clients win numerous awards, been active on jury panels and was recognized by The Holmes Report on its 2019 Innovator 25 Asia-Pacific list. She served as PR Jury President for Spikes Asia and was on the PR jury for Cannes in 2021. She has been on the PRCA board and is a founding member of Global Women in PR in Singapore.

Nayaab Rais

FP7 McCann

Brand Experience & Activation Jury

Nayaab Rais

FP7 McCann

Brand Experience & Activation Jury

With an accidental stint of 17+ years in the industry, hopping across 3 continents, Nayaab has had her hands in some memorable campaigns for brands like Mastercard, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, HSBC, Kraft, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Johnson & Johnson, Emirates, and a few others you might’ve heard of.

She’s dabbled as a jury member and somehow collected over 200 shiny accolades at various festivals around the world (but she swears it hasn’t changed her). She’s even been told she’s one of the Top 15 Creative Directors globally, and she’s still trying to figure out what it all means. Her overarching philosophy is to craft work that’s so beautifully simple and witty, it might just make you chuckle while buying stuff you didn’t know you needed.

Suresh Raj

McCann New York

Glass: The Lion for Change Jury

Suresh Raj

McCann New York

Glass: The Lion for Change Jury

Suresh is the Chief Growth Officer at McCann New York, part of McCann Worldgroup. Previously at VIRTUE, the creative agency powered by VICE Media Group, Ogilvy and Zeno Group, Suresh has over 24 years experience in the marcomms industry, with a primary responsibility of driving growth across the business. Suresh’s experience spans the full integrated marketing spectrum from creative, digital through to PR and experiential. In and out of work, Suresh is a vocal champion of diversity across all spectrums and has been named onto numerous Top 100 Lists (Ethnic Minority & LGBTQ+) by the Financial Times, Yahoo! Finance, YouTube and also a ADCOLOR nominee. He was also a Campaign 40 under 40 honoree as well as Adweek’s Pride Star recipient. He has served on juries for the Effies (NA), PR Week Awards and SABRE Awards. He is also a member of the Cannes Lions-ANA CMO Growth Council as well as the Chair of the ANA LGBTQ+ Forum.

Shortlist Jurors

Cedric Astrella

McCann Paris

Direct

Cedric Astrella

McCann Paris

Direct

Working from Paris has always been way more exciting than ‘just‘ working in Paris. This is how Cedric has navigated his career since he started with McCann in 1998. Through his work, he was able to constantly collaborate with brands that allowed him to embrace global problematics and be inspired by the richness and variety of different cultures. His journey gave him the chance to work with many McCann offices around the world, bringing his know-how to specific projects in need of both his creative and strategic vision.

Today, as an award-winning Executive Creative Director, with pieces of work such as The Bread Exam, Opt-Ink or Street-Vet, recognized with more than 100 global accolades including Grand Prix and Golds in Cannes Lions, Clios, One show… Cedric is co-leading McCann Paris’ creative department in which, after more than 25 years in the industry he is, more than ever, nurturing the strong belief that great ideas come from the diversity of people you’re working with.

Elizabeth Juarez

Vector B

Outdoor

Elizabeth Juarez

Vector B

Outdoor

Elizabeth is passionate about design, typography, and coffee. She is a graphic designer who graduated from one of the top-performing Mexican universities in Design, the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana.

With over 19 years of experience across agencies including Ogilvy, Lowe, BBDO/Proximity, and Leo Burnett, Elizabeth has overseen renowned brands such as Cervecería Cuauhtémoc-Moctezuma, Pepsi, Nestlé, P&G Laundry LATAM, and Kellogg’s. She has implemented creative strategies and omnichannel communications for each of these brands.

Elizabeth’s tenure with P&G laundry brands in LATAM provided her with deep insights into both the local and regional markets, earning her and her team numerous accolades including Effie, El Sol, and El Ojo de Iberoamérica awards.

For the past 2 years at Vector B, she has served as Creative Vice President, spearheading campaigns for Grupo Bimbo brands that have garnered both local and international recognition, including Cannes Lions, Gerety Awards, LIA, Effie, Clio, Webb Awards and New York Festival. She has also served as a jury member for esteemed festivals such as Effie LATAM, NY Festival, and The One Show, among others.

Amr El Kalaawy

FP7McCann KSA and Bahrain

Creative Strategy Shortlist Juror

Amr El Kalaawy

FP7McCann KSA and Bahrain

Creative Strategy Shortlist Juror

Amr is an advertising professional and a creative enthusiast with more than 25 years of experience. Amr has spent 17 years with FP7McCann in the Middle East leading local and global award-winning campaigns, as well as nurturing talents and helping brands achieve their targets if not exceeding them in many cases.

During his time as Managing Director of FP7McCann Cairo, Amr spearheaded the agency to become the most celebrated office in the country, securing numerous accolades across creative and effectiveness awards including Cannes Lions, The One Show, Gretty, Caples, Lynx, Andy’s, Cresta, D&AD, Effies, and WARC, among others.

Early in 2024, Amr was promoted to Regional Managing Director for KSA/Bahrian and is now based in Riyadh.

Throughout his career, Amr has also participated as a keynote speaker and a panelist in many regional and Local business events, as well as, participated as part of the jury committee of MENA Effie awards.

Tsanka Krusheva

McCann Sofia

Brand Experience & Activation

Tsanka Krusheva

McCann Sofia

Brand Experience & Activation

Tsanka Krusheva is one of the most awarded creative directors in Bulgaria with 17 years of experience. Starting her advertising journey as a copywriter in a small local agency, she managed to bring it to the top 3 creative agencies in the market and to win two times Effie Agency in Bulgaria. Working for brands like Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Volkswagen, KFC, HBO and Chivas Regal, her work was recognised at international festivals like Golden Drum, Epica Awards, Clio Awards, but the most precious award was the Bronze Lion her team at McCann Sofia won in 2021. As it was the first Lion in Bulgarian advertising history, it served as an inspiration for the entire local advertising community. Apart from advertising, Tsanka Krusheva has been a journalist and a radio host of her own broadcasting show, screenwriter and executive producer for some TV programs and is now a happy mother of two young creatives.

Diana Kuhlmann

McCann San Jose

Social & Influencer

Diana Kuhlmann

McCann San Jose

Social & Influencer

Diana Kuhlmann is an accomplished Creative Director and Creative Excellence Manager known for her unwavering passion. Her remarkable achievements include multiple awards in the field of advertising, such as Young Lions, El Ojo de Iberoamérica, Festival Volcán, and more. Diana is also a TED Talk speaker, where she presented a new formula for creativity. Additionally, she is a leader of the Diversity and Inclusion team at McCann San José, where she has spearheaded initiatives that have made her agency the first in the country to embrace the seven principles of UN Women. Diana holds certifications in Global, Digital, and Sensory Marketing from the ESCE University of Paris and AI Certifications from Madrid Content School, complementing her degree in Advertising with a focus on Marketing and a Technical Degree in Graphic Design. Bilingual in Spanish and English, with a beginner’s proficiency in German, she possesses exceptional linguistic abilities, making her a well-rounded professional.

Ivy (Guangqian) Shao

Weber Shandwick China

Brand Experience & Activation

Ivy (Guangqian) Shao

Weber Shandwick China

Brand Experience & Activation

In China’s dynamic innovation landscape, Ivy became Head of Innovation at Weber Shandwick in 2022. Leveraging her extensive market experience, she established the company’s inaugural Innovation Department, focusing on earned value and long-term brand-building to redefine market positioning. Under her guidance, Weber Shandwick streamlined operations, expanded industry presence, and promoted innovative thinking. Ivy’s transformative leadership fostered a growth-oriented culture dedicated to creative problem-solving and exploring new business opportunities. With a diverse background spanning Fortune 500 companies, creative agencies, startups, and PR firms, Ivy brings a new approach to her role. As a PR manager at P&G from 2008 to 2010, she pioneered cross-disciplinary marketing for top haircare brands in China. At Ogilvy, she managed regional planning for SC Johnson across 14 markets and guided local cosmetics brands towards women’s rights, departing from male-centric narratives in the beauty sector. Joining Weber Shandwick in 2015 during a pivotal transformation, Ivy introduced an integrated marketing approach as Head of Planning, revolutionizing public relations strategies to meet client needs.