AKQA leaders to champion creative excellence on Cannes Lions 2026 juries

The Cannes Lions awards celebrate creative excellence and effectiveness in every sector and discipline of the industry and from every corner of the globe.

Three of AKQA’s global creative leaders have been selected to serve on the juries for the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Global ECD Fernando Pellizzaro will serve on the Print and Publishing Lions jury, Chief Creative Officer for Europe Nicolai Smith on the Sustainable Development Goals Lions jury, and Global Chief Invention Officer Tim Devine on the Digital Craft Lions jury.

Tim’s career bridges European media arts, academic research in Human-Computer Interaction and global creative leadership, all built on the principle that technology should solve real human problems. His Applied Invention philosophy has produced a portfolio of celebrated work including Action Audio, which lets blind and low-vision fans experience live sport through 3D spatial sound, and Nike’s Never Done Evolving which used AI to model Serena Williams across eras, winning a Cannes Lions Grand Prix in Digital Craft.

Tim said: “Real invention doesn't happen in isolation. It starts with a signal — something beautiful, baffling or brilliant that catches your eye — and it becomes real through craft and connection. Digital Craft is where the ambition meets the detail. It's where someone didn't just have the idea, they built it and built it beautifully. I'm honoured to be judging at Cannes this year and looking forward to seeing who found the signal and had the courage to follow it all the way through.“

Fernando Pellizzaro, “Zaro” is a globally awarded creative leader with 20 years of experience creating work that resonates with culture. Known for his human-centred and integrated approach, he has delivered groundbreaking work for brands including Burger King, Budweiser and Coca-Cola. His portfolio includes six Super Bowl spots and some of the most iconic campaigns of recent years such as Moldy Whopper and Stevenage Challenge. His work has been recognised with more than 50 Cannes Lions, including four Grand Prix, one Titanium Lion and a D&AD Black Pencil. Fernando added: “I’m honoured to represent AKQA as a jury member at Cannes. I’m excited to see the work that not only stands out but also pushes our industry forward and inspires new ways of thinking.”

Nicolai is responsible for driving creative excellence across the region. He has led creative across multiple international markets, bringing together cross-disciplinary expertise to deliver consumer-centric brand experiences. His own work has been recognised globally, including a Grand Prix in Innovation and a Gold Lion in Sustainable Development Goals at Cannes Lions.

Nicolai shared: “I’m truly honoured to be selected as a juror for the Sustainable Development Goals category at Cannes Lions. I believe this is one of the most important and meaningful categories today, where creativity has the power not just to inspire but to drive real, lasting impact on the world.”