Last Updated:January 29, 2026, 16:37 IST
Storyboard18 Awards for Creativity unveil a distinguished Grand Jury of leaders from advertising, business, policy and culture, setting a new benchmark for creative excellence
TL;DR: At a time when creativity is being reshaped by platforms, participation and public scrutiny, the credibility of any awards platform is defined as much by who judges the work as by what is being judged.
The Storyboard18 Awards for Creativity have unveiled a Grand Jury comprising some of India’s most influential leaders across advertising, business, policy and culture, positioning the platform among the country’s most prestigious creative award ecosystems.
At a time when creativity is being reshaped by platforms, participation and public scrutiny, the credibility of any awards platform is defined as much by who judges the work as by what is being judged. With the announcement of its Grand Jury, the Storyboard18 Awards for Creativity signal their ambition to set a new benchmark by bringing together one of the most distinguished and cross-disciplinary juries assembled for creative awards in India.
Conceived to recognise work that reflects the realities of modern brand communication, the awards span categories across brand film and storytelling, integrated campaigns, digital and social innovation, purpose-driven creativity, design and visual craft, creative effectiveness, and emerging formats such as AI, gaming and creator collaborations. The emphasis remains on work that is culturally resonant, strategically grounded and capable of shaping conversations in a fast-moving media environment.
What elevates the platform further is the composition of its jury — a rare convergence of leaders from public policy, corporate leadership, advertising, entrepreneurship, cultural commentary and global brand building.
A Jury That Reflects the Modern Creative Economy
TL;DR: The jury includes Amitabh Kant, the architect behind the Incredible India campaign, bringing a perspective rooted in nation branding and public impact.
The jury includes Amitabh Kant, the architect behind the Incredible India campaign, bringing a perspective rooted in nation branding and public impact. Praveen Someshwar, CEO of Diageo India, represents the intersection of creativity and large-scale brand leadership across media and consumer businesses.
Advertising’s cultural conscience is represented by Prasoon Joshi, Chairman of Omnicom Advertising India, whose work spans iconic brand campaigns, poetry and film. Strategic and cultural interpretation comes through Suhel Seth and Santosh Desai, widely read commentators on brands, society and public discourse.
From FMCG brand building, Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director of Perfetti Van Melle India, brings experience in sustaining mass-market brands through culturally tuned creativity. Anil Viswanathan, Vice President of Marketing, Mondelez North and Western Europe, contributes a global lens shaped by award-winning work in India and international brand stewardship.
Entrepreneurial, digital-first brand thinking is represented by Shantanu Deshpande, co-founder of Bombay Shaving Company, reflecting how modern brands are built through community, content and founder-led storytelling. Adding a sharp business and consumer lens is Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, highlighting the importance of clarity, trust and narrative.
Why This Jury Matters
TL;DR: Together, the jury reflects the breadth of how creativity operates today — across agencies, boardrooms, startups, public institutions and culture.
Together, the jury reflects the breadth of how creativity operates today — across agencies, boardrooms, startups, public institutions and culture. It underscores the belief that creative work must stand up to cultural, commercial, ethical and contextual scrutiny.
As entries open for work released in 2025, the Storyboard18 Awards for Creativity position themselves as both a celebration and a reference point for contemporary creative excellence in India. The stature and diversity of the Grand Jury lend the platform authority, relevance and cultural intelligence.
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Curated by James Chen
