The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has added three jury presidents to its lineup. Shannon Washington, chief creative officer and managing partner at 11 Ounces will preside over the Entertainment Lions for Sport Jury. Pip Smart, executive producer and partner at Revolver in Australia, has been named president of the Film Craft Jury. And Tracey Brader, chief strategy and innovation officer, Remedy Edge, London, heads the Pharma Jury.
Shannon Washington
A globally respected creative leader, Washington is known for shaping culturally resonant platforms at the intersection of sport, entertainment, and community, championing inclusive storytelling and athlete-led narratives.
On her appointment, Washington said, “Being named jury president for the Entertainment Lions for Sport is an honor I don’t take lightly. Globally, sport is one of the last truly communal experiences we have, and the creative work that lives inside it has the power to shift culture, challenge assumptions, and move people in ways that transcend the game itself.
“In the jury room, I’ll be looking for work that earns its place in that conversation, with ideas that demonstrate genuine cultural intelligence, not just spectacle. I want to see campaigns that truly understand the game, the fan, the athlete, and the moment they exist in. This is the 73rd Cannes Lions, and with Lions Sport making its debut as a dedicated forum, there’s never been a more important time to set the bar high. This is what the culture of sport, and the dedicated people, brands and companies behind it deserve.”
Pip Smart
An award-winning executive producer and partner at one of Australia’s leading production companies, Revolver–most recently recognized with the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Lions. Smart has overseen internationally recognized work celebrated for cinematic excellence, innovation and meticulous craft. She is widely regarded for championing directors and elevating production standards across APAC and beyond.
Smart commented, “To be invited by Cannes Lions to chair the Film Craft Jury is an enormous honor. To sit in room with a carefully curated jury of peers as they see and debate work that truly represents the best in the world is something I’m proud to do, and an opportunity I don’t take lightly. I’m continually inspired by the dedication and commitment to craft of our industry, and I feel it’s never been more important to celebrate it.”
Tracey Brader
A leading voice in health communications, Brader helps global health brands navigate complex regulatory environments while delivering creative solutions that change behavior and improve outcomes. Her work bridges science, strategy, and storytelling to make healthcare communications more human and impactful.
Brader commented, “In an era of shifting sands, when budgets are ever-more challenging, when AI can replicate, when creative thinking needs to prove it drives value, Cannes Lions has never been more vital. Being asked to be jury president for Pharma is an honor; an opportunity to celebrate and champion work that genuinely innovates, truly engages, and changes behavior. Because only work that does all three will succeed. But beyond the metrics, when all is said and done, one thing remains constant: only entries that make the heart race will ever be Cannes Lions worthy.”
Cannes Lions is open for Awards submissions until Thursday, April 9 2026. The Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity takes place June 22-26.
