
The London International Awards (LIA) continues its legacy of recognizing the best in global creativity by unveiling the 2025 Jury Presidents for two of its key categories: Creative Strategy and Creativity in PR.
This year’s judging sessions will take place in person at Encore @ Wynn in Las Vegas from September 25 through October 3, ensuring the most thorough and transparent evaluation of work in the industry.
Sandi Preston to Lead Creative Strategy Jury
Sandi Preston, Chief Strategy Officer at Translation (a division of United Masters), has been appointed Jury President for Creative Strategy. With over 15 years of experience driving the strategic engine of one of Brooklyn’s most forward-thinking agencies, Preston brings a unique mix of insight, leadership, and mentorship to the role.
“Early in my career, someone told me that one of the true marks of a great leader is the ability to bring people along with you,” said Preston. “That advice shaped my entire approach to strategy and leadership. It’s not just about persuasion—it’s about connection and inspiration. I look forward to applying that philosophy to the judging room at LIA.”
Preston’s leadership at Translation has helped the agency achieve gold-level status across platforms like Kentico and Sitecore, with numerous Site of the Year honors under her belt. Her appointment signals LIA’s continued commitment to spotlighting work that pairs sharp insight with standout execution.
Judy John to Chair Creativity in PR Jury
Judy John, Global Chief Creative Officer of Edelman, will head the Creativity in PR jury. Since joining Edelman in 2019, John has led the agency to numerous accolades, including recognition as Ad Age Standout Agency (2024), #1 on the Provoke Global Creative Index (2023), and LIA’s Regional PR Company of the Year in both Europe and Asia.
“Being named Jury President for PR is a true honor,” said John. “There’s something special about LIA—smaller juries, deeper conversations, and a real focus on mentorship. This show isn’t just about recognizing excellence; it’s about shaping what comes next for our industry.”
A Focus on Strategy, Craft, and Impact
Both jury appointments reflect LIA’s vision for 2025: to celebrate not just flashy campaigns, but the thoughtful strategy and craftsmanship that drives real business results. As brands look to stand out in an increasingly crowded landscape, LIA’s jurors are tasked with identifying work that surprises, challenges, and connects.
“Successful campaigns bring fresh perspectives to the table,” said LIA President Barbara Levy. “We’ve assembled a world-class panel of strategists and PR leaders who know how to separate the ordinary from the extraordinary. The work that emerges will define the creative benchmark for the year ahead.”
2025 Creative Strategy Jury
Jury President:
- Sandi Preston, Chief Strategy Officer, Translation – Division of United Masters, Brooklyn
Jurors:
- Anthony Chelvanathan, Global Creative Partner/Chief Creative Officer, Edelman Canada, Toronto
- Andrea Diquez, Global CEO, GUT
- Esther Franklin, Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Media, Chicago
- Maria Galleriu, Executive Strategy Director, 72andSunny, Paris
- James Keng Lim, Creative Director (APAC), Burson APAC
- Simon Langley, Group Chief Creative Officer, Bastion, Sydney
- Menaka Menon, President / Managing Partner – Growth & Strategy, DDB Mudra Group, Bangalore
- Suzanne Powers, Founder / CEO, Powers Creativity and All&, New York
- Haem Roy, Head of Enterprise Marketing Canada / LATAM, Amazon Ads, Toronto
- Max Schöngen, Global Creative Lead, Mediaplus Group
- Ben Williams, Global Chief Creative Experience Officer, TBWA\Worldwide
2025 Creativity in PR Jury
Jury President:
- Judy John, Global Chief Creative Officer, Edelman
Jurors:
- Rafa Antón, Global CCO at LLYC / Creative Partner at CHINA – Part of LLYC, Madrid
- Mohamed Bareche, Executive Creative Director, Horizon FCB, Dubai
- Dwayna A. Haley, EVP, Consumer Brands, MSL, Atlanta
- Alethya Heras, Creative Director, The Juju, Mexico City
- Tetsuya Honda, CEO, Honda Office, Tokyo
- Madeleine Page, Head of Consumer and Brand PR, Dentsu Creative Public Relations, Melbourne
- Taj Reid, Global Chief Creative Officer, Burson
- Ciro Sarmiento, Chief Creative Officer, Colle McVoy, Minneapolis
- Indy Selvarajah, Chief Creative Officer, Ketchum, London
- Daniela Varela, Group Creative Director, Weber Shandwick, New York
40 Years of Creative Excellence



Celebrating its 40th year, LIA remains one of the most respected global festivals honoring creative work across a broad spectrum of categories—from Advertising, Design, and PR to Health, Pharma, Innovation, and more. LIA is also recognized in the WARC Creative 100 and The Drum’s World Creative Rankings.
Unlike many award shows, LIA prides itself on full transparency: no shortlist juries, no online judging, and no half measures. Every juror sees every piece of work in their category.
Supporting the Next Generation
Through the Creative LIAisons Global Coaching Academy—founded in 2012 and fully funded by LIA—over 300 emerging creatives annually receive world-class mentorship from top industry leaders. The initiative is one of the most respected talent development programs in the world and continues to shape the future of creative excellence.
Founded by Barbara Levy in 1986, LIA remains a fully woman-owned business and a cornerstone of the global creative community.
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