London International Awards (LIA) is introducing a Democracy and Human Rights category to recognise creative work that promotes and strengthens democratic values around the world.
The European Parliament has been instrumental in helping develop this category.
Edelman Canada global creative partner and CCO and jury president, Anthony Chelvanathan, said: “LIA stands out for its open judging process, with live deliberations that invite media and creatives to witness decisions firsthand. That level of transparency makes it a natural fit to introduce a Democracy and Human Rights competition. I’m incredibly honored to chair its first jury, a role that feels especially meaningful given my own background fleeing conflict.”
“Not everything we do in advertising changes the world, but it’s very likely that work in this category will attempt to. It’s a noble mission for any creative to be a part of.” Chelvanathan added.
As Edelman’s first global creative partner and chief creative officer (Canada), Chelvanathan drives creative innovation and strategic direction across more than 60 offices in lockstep with Judy John, the agency’s Global CCO.
Other jurors include:
Rob Galluzzo, the executive producer and CEO of FINCH. He is also co-founder of 36 Months, which led a national campaign to raise the minimum age of social media from 13 to 16. He is also co-founder of Songbird Studios, an independent production company that produces documentaries.
Matt Murphy, the global chief creative officer at 72andSunny, continues to push the boundaries of innovation. His approach redefined the landscape of digital dating, culminating in the groundbreaking Tinder App venture, Swipe Night.
José Miguel Sokoloff, president and chief creative officer of Omnicom’s Unilever team. He leads the global relationship with Unilever, spanning strategy, creativity, and commercial accountability. Sokoloff spent years developing campaigns for the Colombian government aimed at demobiliing FARC guerrilla fighters.
Tanja Rudolf, head of the concept & design unit at the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication. Rudolf leads the institution’s in-house creative and strategic communications function, helping shape how the Parliament connects with citizens across Europe. With over 20 years of experience across advertising, marketing, and institutional communication, she has played a central role in defining the European Parliament’s modern communication approach.
Diane M. Foley is the president and founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, which she created in September 2014 less than a month after the public beheading by ISIS in Syria of her son James W. Foley, an American freelance conflict journalist. She has raised awareness of international hostage-taking and wrongful detention using the documentary, “Jim, the James Foley story”, opinion pieces in the New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today and media interviews.
LIA president and founder, Barbara Levy said: “The advertising industry wields great power. When the same marketing and creative thinking and strategy that goes into selling a packaged good is used to shift public perception, champion dignity and fundamental human rights to a broader audience, it brings profound positive impact for lasting change on a global scale.”
