Leading advertising and marketing experts from around the world are among the illustrious names on the IPA Effectiveness Awards 2026 Industry and Technical judging panels.
The Technical Panel of researchers, insights professionals, econometricians and data scientists will analyse the evaluation methods and claims presented as part of the Award entries, before the Industry Panel of expert practitioners who will shortlist the papers that best demonstrate the payback on their marketing investment.
The final stage of the IPA Effectiveness Awards judging process is done by a Client panel, who, alongside recommendations from the Technical and Industry judges, will award the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Special Prizes.
Convenor of Judges, Charlie Ebdy and Deputy Convenor Lilli English, will preside over the judging process, while Jane Christian will Chair the Technical Judging Panel, as they analyse the Awards submissions ahead of an awards ceremony in October.
The IPA Effectiveness Awards 2026 include The President’s Prize for Creative Effectiveness, which will recognise the vital role of creativity in driving business success and celebrate the people behind the work delivering tangible results. It forms a key part of Karen Martin’s agenda as IPA President to put creativity back at the heart of the industry and empower the next generation of creative leaders. The Client judging panel and judges for the President’s Prize for Creative Effectiveness will be announced at a later date.
The IPA Effectiveness Awards 2026 are open for entries until Thursday, 16 April, and a wealth of resources and guidance are available to help you write your paper.
Commenting on the IPA Effectiveness Awards Technical and Industry judging panels:
Charlie Ebdy, Chief Strategy Officer UK, Omnicom Media and Convenor of Judges:
“I couldn’t think of a better judging panel to help us understand effectiveness in this new age of marketing communications. We’ve matched the paradigm shift in advertising environment with a paradigm shift in expertise, combining noted award winners from creative and media backgrounds with those at the cutting edge of technology, all of whom share a commitment to the industry’s highest standards of proof. I cannot wait to get started.”
Lilli English, Chief Strategy Officer, Leo UK and Deputy Convenor of Judges:
“What stands out about this year’s judging panel is the breadth of experience it brings together. Different disciplines and perspectives, with a shared curiosity about what genuinely works in today’s marketing landscape. I’m really looking forward to seeing the entries and the discussions that follow. It’s this collective expertise that will help us recognise - and learn from - the approaches that deliver real impact.”
Jane Christian, EVP of Analytics, WPP Media and Chair of the Technical Judging Panel:
"Our technical panel this year brings together an exceptional range of expertise, including econometricians, Bayesian specialists, and well-rounded analytical and measurement professionals. That said, I want to reassure entrants that formal econometrics is not a prerequisite for success - it featured in only about half of the 2024 entries. What we value most is clarity, robustness, and well-reasoned evidence that substantiates the claimed results. Ultimately, it’s the quality of the thinking and the credibility of the proof that will stand out, not the complexity of the model."
Industry Judging Panel:
- Marcos Angelides, Managing Director of L’Oréal Lab & Head of AI Operations, Publicis Media
- Mel Arrow, CEO, McCann London
- Helen Barber, Head of Strategy, OMD UK
- Sean Betts, Chief AI & Innovation Officer, Omnicom Media
- Martin Beverley, Founder, Ace of Hearts
- Daniela Bombonato, Head of Brand Strategy, DAVID Madrid
- Luke Brown, Group CEO, Affinity
- Rebecca Burchnall, Chief Planning Officer, PHD Media
- Alex Dalman, Managing Partner + Head of AI, Social & Innovation, Faith
- Shekhar Deshpande, Head of Strategy, Global Clients, Meta
- Gordon Euchler, Founder, Spikes
- Simon Harwood, Head of Effectiveness, Billion Dollar Boy
- Sandeep Grewal, Global Strategy Lead, Havas Media Network
- Ollie Gilmore, Strategy Partner, Ogilvy
- Emily Lewis-Keane, Executive Strategy Director, Saatchi&Saatchi
- Will Lion, Chief Strategy Officer, BBH
- David Lucy, Managing Director, December19
- Callum McCahon, Chief Strategy Officer, Born Social
- Roisin Mulroney, Planning Director, adam&eveTBWA
- Kate Nettleton, Chief Strategy Officer, VML
- Matthew Philip, Head of Strategy, MG OMD
- Kate Rush Sheehy, CSO, GSD&M
- Asad Shaykh, Head of Social and Strategy, Grey
- Dheeraj Sinha, Group CEO, FCB India
- Joe Smith, Strategy Partner, AMVBBDO
- Paul Tedesco, Head of Effectiveness, ICA (Institute of Canadian Agencies)
- Sabina Usher, Head of Strategy, OMD UK
- Matt Waksman, Head of Strategy, Droga5
Technical Judging Panel:
- Sarah Aggarwal, Head of Data Science and Measurement, T&P
- Kate Barnham, Director of Measurement & Analytics, Whalar
- Tim Brandon, Head of Agile Research, OMD UK
- Dom Charles, Managing Director, Audience Intelligence and Marketing Science, WPP Media
- Ed Dickerson, Group Data Science Manager – Global, Google
- Nic English, Lead Data Consultant, VML
- Sarah Gale, Director of Insight, Data, Outcomes, Global
- Tom Hallett, Head of Media Effectiveness, Sky
- Laura Kell, Chief Data and Product Officer, Havas Media
- Tom Loughnan, Group Director, Marketing Effectiveness, Ebiquity
- Pauline McGowan, Head of Strategy, The Nursery
- Noel McGarrell, Director of Media Effectiveness, Medialab
- Elliott Millard, Chief Strategy Officer, Thinkbox
- Thaer Namruti, EVP Global Data and Technology, Publicis Group
- Niall Oulton, Founder, 1749
- Seena Samani, Head of Marketing Effectiveness, Lloyds
- Sarah Stallwood, Head of Analytics, OMG
- Alex Vass, Founder, Independent Marketing Science
- Joe Wilkinson, Founder & CEO, Tyedal Analytics
- Beth Wilson, Head of Data & Insight, adam&eveTBWA
Last updated 19 March 2026