Spikes Asia reveals 2026 Jury President line-up

The line-up sees first-time representation from Pakistan

Salesforce’s Wendy Walker confirmed as inaugural Creative B2B Jury President

Spikes Asia, APAC’s most prestigious and sought-after award for creativity and marketing effectiveness, has revealed the Jury Presidents who will oversee the 2026 Awards. Meeting in Singapore next March, these industry leaders will guide their Juries to benchmark excellence across the region’s very best creative and effective work.

Among the Jury Presidents, Atiya Zaidi, CEO and Chief Creative Officer, BBDO, Pakistan, makes history as the first Jury President from Pakistan. Zaidi won Pakistan’s first Glass: The Lion for Change at Cannes Lions 2023, and was the first Pakistani to be selected for Cannes Lions See It Be It in 2017 – the programme designed to accelerate the careers of women and non-binary talent. She returned to the programme as a mentor for the 2025 cohort.

On her appointment, Zaidi commented: “It is an honour to be the first Jury President from Pakistan at Spikes Asia. A moment that reflects how far our creative industry has come, and how boundless its future can be. Here’s to more stories, ideas, and voices from Pakistan reaching the world. As Jury President for Design and Industry Craft, I will be looking for work where execution amplifies the idea, where craft is not surface but substance, and design choices reflect clarity, intent, and a deep understanding of human experience.”

Elsewhere, the inaugural Creative B2B Spikes Jury will be led by Wendy Walker, VP and Chief Marketing Officer, Salesforce, ASEAN. The Creative B2B Spikes Award will celebrate game-changing creativity and effectiveness in work for products and services that are purchased by professionals on behalf of businesses. With 25 years of interdisciplinary marketing experience spanning a variety of industries, Walker’s expertise will be pivotal in setting the benchmark for the region's most innovative B2B work.

Walker commented: "I’m honoured to serve as inaugural Jury President for the Creative B2B Spikes. Having seen B2B creativity reach new heights at Cannes Lions this year, I’m thrilled to see the category come to APAC; a region defined by brave storytellers and visionary brands redefining how businesses connect, serve, and inspire. Together with the Jury, we’ll seek work that’s brave in thought, grounded in real human insight, and demonstrates how creativity in B2B can drive both impact and progress. This is our moment to set a new benchmark for B2B creativity in Asia and help shape the future of the global conversation."

The Spikes Asia 2026 Jury Presidents have been named as:

Audio & Radio, Film, Print & Publishing Reed Collins | Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy, APAC

Brand Experience & Activation, Creative Commerce Lisa Fedyszyn | Chief Creative Officer, Special, Aotearoa New Zealand

Creative B2B Wendy Walker | VP and Chief Marketing Officer, Salesforce, ASEAN

Creative Data, Innovation Maurice Riley | Chief Data Officer, Publicis Groupe, Oceania (Australia and New Zealand)

Creative Effectiveness, Creative Strategy Shilpa Sinha | Chief Strategy Officer, McCann Worldgroup, APAC

Design, Industry Craft Atiya Zaidi | CEO and Chief Creative Officer, BBDO, Pakistan

Digital Craft, Social & Creator Barbara Humphries | Chief Creative Officer, Droga5 ANZ, part of Accenture Song, ANZ

Direct, Outdoor Anupama Ramaswamy | Managing Director and Chief Creative Officer, Havas Creative, India

Entertainment, Gaming, Music Britney Pai | Head of Entertainment, dentsu, Greater North Asia

Film Craft Wuthisak Anarnkaporn | Film Director and Founder, Factory01, Thailand

Healthcare Rohini Miglani | Former VP at P&G, Asia, Middle East, Africa and India

Media Josh Gallagher | Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, WPP Media, APMEA

PR Tomoko Tagami | Founder and CEO, Synasia, Japan

About the Jury Presidents, Melanie Speet, Director, Spikes Asia, said: “Every year, the Jury Presidents set the tone for the Awards, and this line-up truly reflects the breadth, depth and diversity of creative leadership across APAC. From first-time representation for Pakistan to the introduction of the Creative B2B Spikes, 2026 marks an important moment of evolution for the Awards. We’re proud to welcome such an accomplished group of industry visionaries who will help define what world-class creative excellence looks like in the year ahead.”

Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, added: “Spikes Asia has always been a barometer for the region’s creative progress, and this year’s Jury Presidents embody the bold thinking and innovative spirit driving the industry forward. Their collective expertise across emerging disciplines, established craft and data-driven creativity will ensure that the work awarded in 2026 continues to set the benchmark for creative effectiveness across APAC.”

Entries into Spikes Asia are being accepted until Thursday 29 January 2026. Further information on the Awards can be found at www.spikes.asia.