Local Marketing And Creative Talent Celebrated As Cannes Lions Unveils Awarding Juries

The 73^rd edition of the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity takes place in Cannes France from 22 – 26 June 2026. The internationally celebrated festival of creativity has announced its jury for 2026, which includes a group of talented and celebrated South African creatives and marketers on various panels.

“As the official Cannes Lions Festival Representative in South Africa, we are delighted with the inclusion of this prestigious list of industry heavyweights, 18 in total, as a global acknowledgement and celebration of the very high standard of local talent,” says Lynne Wylie, chief marketing officer of Ster-Kinekor.

The Lions Awards sit at the heart of the festival, making it imperative to preserve and uphold the standard of judging to ensure the value of the awards. One of the major factors that contributes to the prestige and integrity of the awards is the quality of the Juries, and the quality of the discussions around the awarding of the Lions. It is essential that the work continues to be judged by a stellar cast of world-class candidates – the very best creative talent that sets Cannes judging apart.

This year’s Juries reflect the growing diversity of voices shaping the global creative industry, with fresh perspectives from independent agencies and brands across an array of sectors. “As such, the strong representation of South African judges in this year’s festival is very welcome, ensuring our voices are heard as part of the panel of global experts who set the global benchmark for creative excellence,” comments Wylie.

The Cannes Lions Awarding Jury Members from South Africa are:

Audio & Radio:           

Jabulani Sigege, group executive creative director of Machine_

Creative Business Transformation - Jury President:

Gugu Mthembu, chief marketing officer of Telkom

Creative Data:            

Veli Ngubane, chief creative officer of Avatar

Creative Effectiveness :

Mpume Ngobese, managing director of Joe Public

Creative Strategy:      

Neo Makhele, chief strategy officer of Ogilvy South Africa

Design:

Simone Rossum, executive creative director of SHIFT

Digital Craft:              

Stephanie Mazingi, creative managing director of Havas South Africa

Direct:                        

Khethiwe Makhubo, creative group head of McCann Joburg

Entertainment Lions for Gaming:

Danni Pinch, executive creative director of Accenture Song

Entertainment Lions for Music:

Phiona Okumu, head of music (sub-Saharan Africa) of Spotify

Glass: The Lion for Change:

Suhana Gordhan, chief creative officer and founder of LoveSong

Industry Craft:

Liana Liebenberg, national creative partner of Design Bridge & Partners

Media:                        

Dashni Vilakazi, managing director of The MediaShop

Pharma:

Mandi Fine, CEO and Founder of FINE

Print & Publishing:

Nkgabiseng Motau, co-founder and chief creative officer, Think Creative Africa

Social & Creator:

Khangelani Dziba, brand communications consultant, Independent

Sustainable Development Goals:

Bogosi Motshegwa, founder, CEO, and chief strategy officer of Thinkerneur

Dan Wieden Titanium:

Tseliso Rangaka, chief creative officer of Accenture Song

These South African jury members will join their global counterparts at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes this June to set the standard for the year ahead by awarding the most creative and impactful work.

Commenting on this year’s line-up, Simon Cook, CEO, Lions, said: “The impact of the Cannes Lions Jury can’t be underestimated. Their time and expertise in recognising groundbreaking work sets the global creative benchmark for the year ahead and provides a view of the future shape of creativity.

“Each year, our Juries are carefully selected to uphold this standard, and this year is no exception. Welcoming new expert voices across a breadth of markets and disciplines, we are delighted to bring together some of the industry’s most well-respected leaders to define the creative standards driving our industry forward and celebrate the transformative power of creativity to create change, shape society, and build business.”

ENDS

Issued by:                                            aHead PR                                                      

On behalf of:                                       Ster-Kinekor Theatres                                                                      

For media information:                    Janet de Kretser                                                 

Tel:                                                       083 973 3531

E-mail:                                                This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Ster-Kinekor Theatres

Ster-Kinekor Theatres is the largest movie exhibitor on the African continent. To most South Africans, the word ‘movies’ is synonymous with the name ‘Ster-Kinekor’. The company operates 32 commercial cinema complexes in South Africa that house 249 large-scale screens, with 33 110 seats and the largest 3D footprint featuring 99 state-of-the-art 3D screens in South Africa (Commercial, 3D, IMAX, Kids Cinema and Cine Prestige). It also operates four cinema complexes in Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, with 23 screens and 3 014 seats.

As the industry leader, Ster-Kinekor has pioneered cinema concepts such as Cinema Nouveau, a dedicated art-house multiplex cinema, and the luxurious Cine Prestige theatres, the first ‘business class’ cinema experience in South Africa; and has headed the return of the IMAX® Experience, with nine IMAX® Theatres across the country. Ster-Kinekor has expanded its cinema innovation to launch the first Kids’ Cinema complete with slides and bean bag seating (currently seven screens) as well as D-BOX which brings movie experiences to life with motion seats. Most recently, Ster-Kinekor introduced SKX-PERIENCE Powered by Jozi X at The Zone in Rosebank, an indoor adventure hub offering axe throwing, gel blaster, splatter room and escape rooms, adding a new dimension to the Ster-Kinekor entertainment experience.

As one of South Africa’s most loved brands, it is Ster-Kinekor’s ongoing mission to become synonymous with the unrivalled magic of the cinema experience, by providing ‘Great Moments at Their Greatest’. During 2013, the company embarked on a massive roll-out project to convert and equip every cinema with the very latest in digital projection and sound technology. The result of this upgrade is that every cinema now boasts state-of-the-art cinema technology that encompasses 2K and 4K digital projection and 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound systems.

The SK Club loyalty programme rewards members with redeemable points when they swipe their card when buying movie tickets or catering, as well as half-price tickets on Tuesdays. Combined with industry-leading loyalty programmes from Edgars Club and Discovery Vitality, these give Ster-Kinekor a strong consumer value proposition and competitive advantage. Ster-Kinekor has extended its loyalty offering to include the first subscription model in South Africa: SK Subscription Club, which offers members a limited or unlimited number of movies per month at a set cost whilst also enjoying the benefits of SK Club.

As the market leader, Ster-Kinekor aims to spearhead the advancement of cinema across both South Africa and the rest of Africa, to ensure that consumers continue to experience movies as they were made to be seen – on the big screen.

See more at: www.sterkinekor.com

About Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

https://www.canneslions.com/