LIA Insider Issue 458: Ajay Vikram of Publicis Group South East Asia to Lead LIA 2026 Audio & Radio Jury

The theatre of the mind is the most sacred space in advertising. Respect the stage. Emotions are everything, whichever form it takes. Provoke a response. There’s a lot going on in the world. Don’t make it harder than it has to be. Words, songs, sounds, music. Still the best modes of transport on earth. - Ajay Vikram

Radio has always been a part of LIA judging since its inception in 1986. Today as audio content becomes more significant than ever, LIA has assembled together an elite group of professional experts in the field of audio and radio to judge its 2026 show. This jury panel will listen intently to every piece of Audio & Radio content submitted into this competition on site in Las Vegas before deciding on statue winners.

This year, the Audio & Radio Jury will be presided over by Ajay Vikram, Chief Creative Officer, Publicis Groupe South East Asia, who has been named among Campaign Brief’s Asia-Pacific Creative Directors of the Year, Singapore’s Most Influential Creative Directors and Campaign’s Asia-Pacific Creative of the Year.

Jury President
Ajay Vikram

"There is only one medium where the advertising space is owned by the consumer: the one between their ears. Audio is probably the simplest, greatest and most direct creative challenge of all. As they say, iykyk," said Ajay Vikram, CCO, Publicis Groupe South East Asia, Singapore.

The first commercial broadcast was made in Pittsburgh in 1920. Although commercial radio has been around for more than 100 years, it is not outdated. Even without consciously doing it, consuming audio content is second nature as it can be seamlessly incorporated into daily routines. Audio and radio has the innate ability to inform, entertain and engage you wherever you are. It’s the medium that works especially well even if you are on the go.

Radio advertising has undergone tremendous evolution since it first became a powerful channel for commerce and mass communication in the 1920s. Despite it all, the core strength of radio remains. Whether it is using catchy jingles, imaginative sound effects and storytelling or pure laugh-out-loud humor, its power to touch listeners in a personal and meaningful way has not been diminished over time. The human voice carries with it tone, nuance, emotion, personality and emphasis which connects on a deeper level.

Christina Shaw, VP - Awards Director, LIA commented: “These jurors are creative thinkers and professionals, who are responsible for the work that we have admired and envied, proving that the elements that are prevalent in radio like the use of music, sound and voices have evolved and adapted to make Audio & Radio still one of the best ways to reach the target audience. They will be the ones who will lift the standards and push it further up.”

All judging will be done on-site from 25th September through 3rd October 2026 at Encore @ Wynn, Las Vegas. There is no pre-judging or shortlist jury before the on-site judging.