MUMBAI: The Ad Club has revealed the first set of jury chairs for The Abby Awards 2025 powered by One Show, ahead of the grand showcase at Goafest 2025, taking place on 21–23 May at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon.
Stepping into key jury roles this year are four of the most dynamic minds in Indian advertising: Rajdeepak Das, Senthil Kumar, Chandni Shah, and Anupama Ramaswamy.
Das to chair video film (under one minute) category
Publicis Groupe south Asia and Leo Burnett south Asia chief creative officer & chairman, Das is known for redefining creativity with a human-first lens. His award-winning campaigns from Whisper’s ‘The Missing Chapter’ (Grand Prix, SDG – Cannes Lions 2022) to Pepsico Lays Smart Farms (Grand Prix, Spikes Asia 2024) underline his commitment to impactful innovation. At Leo Burnett, he launched Apollo 11, a futuristic division powered by mutant creatives including aerospace engineers and data scientists.
Kumar to chair video film (over one minute) category
VML India chief creative officer, dubbed a ‘Lion Hunter’ by The Economic Times, Kumar is one of the most decorated creative minds in the country. With 27 Cannes Lions, 24 D&AD Pencils, and numerous other global honours, his vision has fuelled campaigns for brands like Wipro, Hero Motors, Tata Steel, and The Times of India. His storytelling extends to award-winning short films and documentaries, including A Salaam To Kalam and Save Our Sentinels.
Shah to chair mobile category
FCB Kinnect founder & COO, from child model to digital powerhouse, Shah has consistently broken moulds. At 32, she co-founded one of India’s most impactful digital agencies with over 600 Kinnectors. She’s been honoured by Campaign Asia-Pacific, Impact’s 50 Most Influential Women, and Agency Reporter’s SHE Awards. Her jury experience and global award-winning campaigns (Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio) make her a force to reckon with.
Ramaswamy to chair diversity, equality & inclusion category
Havas Worldwide joint MD & chief creative officer, With over 25 years in advertising, Ramaswamy is known for campaigns that resonate with both purpose and power. From launching Ikea in India to winning Gold at Cannes, Clio, LIA, and Spikes, she’s delivered some of India’s most memorable brand moments. Her impact-driven campaigns for Reckitt, Fortis, Suzuki, and Maruti continue to set benchmarks.