LIA Insider Issue 453: Chaka Sobhani, Global CCO of TBWA\Worldwide Named Jury President of LIA 2026 TV & Cinema and Online Film Jury

The LIA TV & Cinema and Online Film Jury will convene for 2026 judging at Encore @ Wynn Las Vegas, commencing 25th September and concluding 3rd October. Presiding over this jury is Chaka Sobhani, Global Chief Creative Officer of TBWA\Worldwide. She is an award-winning filmmaker-turned-advertising powerhouse, and is an authority on disruptive creativity and leadership.

Chaka Sobhani
Jury President

Chaka began her career in television before setting up ITV’s first in-house creative agency. She previously held creative leadership roles at Mother, Leo Burnett and DDB Worldwide where she was instrumental in winning global recognition, including Global Network and Agency of the Year honors across every major awards show.

Chaka, the 2026 LIA Jury President of TV & Cinema and Online Film said: “I couldn’t be more excited or honoured to be President of this jury. Film is still such an important medium and a place where ideas and craft can come to life in a way that moves people like no other. As always, I’m excited to see the best of the best from across the world, and to spend time with this incredible jury diving into the work and debating what represents the gold standard from the past 12 months.”

Storytelling is at the heart of every TV, Cinema and Online ad. Good ads regardless of where you view them; on your couch, in your living room; while traveling, on your phone; or at work, on your computer; tell a story with a beginning, a middle and an end.

Beautifully crafted stories bring about a visceral response with the consumer causing an emotional investment with the brand. That’s why every year, viewers in the UK look forward to the John Lewis Christmas advert, or globally the Amazon Holiday ads. They always tell a heartwarming, nostalgic story about the joy that a thoughtful gift can bring.

One of the greatest advantages of TV advertising is the ability to reach a wide audience at the same time. For instance, a 2026 Super Bowl ad, while it could cost an average of $8 million, has, according to data, reached as many as 125.6 million people.

Christina Shaw, VP – Awards Director, LIA, said: “There are a lot of heavy hitters in the jury room. This means that the stakes will be raised and only the best work will make the cut. This is what LIA is all about – setting and raising the benchmark for creative excellence higher with each passing year.”

LIA is offering a 20% Early Bird Discount on entry fees through 30th June 2026. Work released between 1st July, 2025 through 31st August, 2026 is eligible for enter. All rounds of judging are done entirely in Las Vegas.