Prime Highlight:
- Dana Tahir, CEO of HAVAS Red Middle East, has been appointed Jury President for the Public Relations category at Cannes Lions 2026, marking a historic first for the MENA region.
- She will lead a diverse jury to evaluate global PR campaigns, focusing on creativity, impact, and shaping public conversation.
Key Facts:
- Cannes Lions 2026 will be held from June 22–26, with Tahir joining other Jury Presidents, including Bertille Toledano for Creative Effectiveness.
- Industry leaders praised her appointment, noting her expertise in MENA markets and her ability to highlight culturally relevant, globally impactful PR work.
Background
Dana Tahir, CEO of HAVAS Red Middle East, has been named Jury President for the Public Relations category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026. The appointment marks a historic first; she is the first Arab woman from the Middle East and North Africa to hold this position.
Cannes Lions announced its 2026 Jury President line-up ahead of the festival, which will be held from June 22 to 26. Jury Presidents play a key role in evaluating creative work from around the world and setting global benchmarks for excellence across categories.
In a public statement, Tahir described the appointment as a meaningful milestone and said she looks forward to working with a diverse jury to recognise PR work that pushes creative boundaries. She said the focus will be on campaigns that shape reputation, influence public conversation, and create lasting impact while setting new standards for creativity.
Industry leaders welcomed the announcement, calling it a significant moment for the region. Dany Naaman, chief executive officer of HAVAS Middle East, said Tahir’s selection reflects the strength of leadership emerging from the Middle East and its growing role in shaping global industry standards.
James Wright, global chief executive officer of HAVAS Red and chairman of the HAVAS PR Network, said Tahir brings a strong understanding of culture, creativity, and impact. He added that her experience in the MENA region offers a perspective that is both locally grounded and globally relevant, which will help highlight the strongest PR work at the festival.
The 2026 Jury President line-up also includes Bertille Toledano, chief executive officer of BETC and president of the Havas Creative Network. She has been appointed Jury President for Creative Effectiveness and is currently leading efforts to strengthen creative production in the Middle East.
Simon Cook, chief executive officer of LIONS, said the selected Jury Presidents reflect the wide scope of creativity today and will help raise the standard of creative excellence at Cannes Lions 2026.
