New York Festivals Advertising Awards has chosen its 2026 Shortlist Jury, a curated panel of 300 industry leaders and award-winning creatives who will evaluate all entries, identifying the most innovative and impactful work to advance to finalist status.
The Shortlist Jury, made up of top-tier executives from around the world, spans 6 continents and 43 countries and is a powerful mix of chief creative officers, CEOs, CSOs, managing directors, founders, executive creative directors, producers, and other key figures shaping the industry.
This jury plays a critical role in shaping this year’s competition, evaluating entries across newly launched and expanded category groups for 2026. These include Executive Jury–judged categories such as Baked in New York and Creative Marketing Strategy/Effectiveness (including Sports), as well as expanded areas such as Future Now, Design, Package & Product Design, and Creativity in Commerce. As the first line of evaluation, the Shortlist Jury is instrumental in curating the work that advances to the Specialty Executive Juries and final Executive Jury panels.
“NYF’s Shortlist Jury brings together an extraordinary group of global creative leaders whose experience, talent, and diverse perspectives are essential to the integrity of the competition,” stated Scott Rose, president, New York Festivals. “We’re incredibly grateful for their commitment and discernment. As the first line of evaluation, they play a pivotal role in shaping the work that moves forward, championing ideas that truly deliver impact and, as always, Show Us Something We Haven’t Seen.”
View the 2026 NYF Advertising Awards Shortlist Jury: here
Trophy winners will be selected from the shortlists by the 2026 Executive Jury. Executive Jury sessions will take place in early June at New York City’s Crosby Hotel’s state-of-the-art screening room. Specialty Executive Juries will judge their designated categories.
The official deadline to enter the 2026 New York Festivals Advertising Awards is April 23, 2026.
Find more information on categories, rules, and regulations here. View the 2025 Advertising Awards winners’ showcase.
Australian Shortlist jurors are:
- Matt Chandler, Chief Creative Officer, DDB Sydney
- Josh Taylor Dadds, Strategy Director, Supermassive Studio
- Zac Goldberg, Head Creative Tinker, Thinkerbell
- Jenny Mak, Executive Creative Director & Partner, Jnr.
- Tom Wenborn, Chief Creative Officer, Thinkerbell
- Amy Weston, Executive Creative Director, Clemenger BBDO
- Kieran Moroney, Creative Director, M+C Saatchi
- Darren A Seddon, Creative Partner, The Corner Shop
- Tammy Been, Senior Copywriter, Independent
- Kent Boswell, Co-Founder, AiCandy
- Rebecca Carrasco, Principal, MADEBY-AND
- Chris Clausen, Design Director, Cocogun
- Töbe Pickford, Creative Director, The Health Army
