The 2023 international jury presidents include:

Shannon Washington, the United States CCO for R / GA, is the jury president of the Digital category for the 45^th annual Loeries Awards.

According to the awards, for Washington the Loeries are an opportunity to get to know some of the local agencies.

“While I am familiar with the work from Africa and the Middle East region, I believe that the continent and Middle East region are vastly untapped in terms of talent; yet they have some of the best and brightest ideas,” says Washington.

Geet Rathi, the award-winning creative director currently with Area 23, New York, has been announced as the jury president of the Design category.

The awards say Rathi is looking forward to seeing work that is functional but worth talking about by giving people a reason to care.

“This way, we might be able to respond to needs in society, which is powerful,” Rathi adds.

Creative leader of the creative helm of Cheil Paul Chan is the international jury president for PR, LIVE, OOH and integrated jury.

Chan says he will be looking for “brilliant, inspiring ideas that are beautifully executed and have a clear purpose. But over and above this, we’ll look for work that makes you feel something.” 

“The best work always stops you in your tracks. It punches you in the gut, and it stays with you long after you’ve seen it. This is the work that’s really inspiring,” adds Chen. 

Marco Venturelli, CEO / CCO of Publicis Conseil and CCO of Publicis Groupe France, will head up the Film jury.

Venturelli says, “If you want to have an impact on culture, you have to exist in culture. I expect these to consider the new realities we face, socially, economically and environmentally.”

“The Loeries has an excellent reputation in Africa and the rest of the region, and receiving these awards not only gives the winners visibility but also international recognition for their communication initiatives,” Venturelli says. 

Brad Reilly, McCann Enterprise’s chief creative officer, is 2023’s Radio and Radio Crafts jury president.

According to the awards, Reilly is no stranger to work from Africa and the Middle East region, having worked as BBDO South Africa’s executive creative director across the continent. He says the region is known for being the ruler of the radio.

“As the category evolves globally into the broader realms of audio, I am hoping to see (or better hear) how the kings and queens of the medium will continue to redefine it,” says Reilly. 

Preetesh Sewraj, CEO of Loeries, says that the Loeries is very honoured to have an exceptionally high calibre jury president roster in 2023. 

Sewraj says, “Our international jury presidents come from some of the most esteemed agencies from around the world, and they personally are some of the most celebrated creatives in our industry from countries as diverse as Hong Kong, France, the United States and the United Kingdom.”

“I am really excited and look forward to welcoming all of our international jury presidents to South Africa to Loeries Creative Week in Cape Town to start judging, and I know that the entire Africa and Middle East region will be richer and benefit from all of their insights and advice,” Sewraj adds. 

Judging takes place during Loeries Creative Week, which is held in Cape Town from Monday, 2 October to Friday, 6 October. Tickets are now on sale.