Top Marketing Leaders Join 2026 Effie Awards Europe Steering Committee
The Effie Awards Europe, organised by the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA), has presented the 2026 Steering Committee, composed of senior leaders from brands, agencies, and research bodies across the continent. This expert group will guide the programme through a landmark year, the 30th edition of the Effie Awards Europe, celebrating three decades of championing ideas that work and setting the benchmark for marketing effectiveness in Europe.
“The Effie Awards hold a vital place in the marketing industry because they elevate and celebrate campaigns that truly make a difference. Their rigorous and transparent criteria ensure that only the most impactful and results-driven efforts are recognised, inspiring brands and agencies to strive for effectiveness and excellence in every initiative,” said Barbara Sala, senior director global media strategy at The Coca-Cola Company & Effie Europe jury chair 2025.
For 2026, the Effie Europe Steering Committee members are:
- Bruno Yanagui Gomiero, Global Planning Director, LOLA MullenLowe
- Caio Franchi, Executive Creative Lead, Google Northern Europe
- Claire Miller, Global Head of Strategy and Analytics, LEGO Agency, LEGO Group
- Giulia Silvestri, Brand Director BBIC- Brand Building Innovation & Communication, Procter & Gamble
- Hadi Zabad, CSO EMEA, Ogilvy
- Iva Bennefild, VP Marketing & Brand Excellence and Transformation Europe, Mondelez International
- Jamie Peate, Global Head of Retail Strategy/Head of Effectiveness, McCann
- Petra De Roos, CEO, ACC Belgium
- Rob van Griensven, Global Digital Director Heineken
- Sven Huberts, Former President, Global Innovation & Experience, Dentsu
- Ulrich Klenke, SVP Group Brand Strategy and Marketing Communications, Deutsche Telekom
- Vasileios Kourakis, Global Marketing Effectiveness Director, L’Oreal
- Věra Šídlová, Global Creative Thought Leadership Director, Kantar
- Vincent Garel, Executive VP and CSO, TBWA France
- Charley Stoney, CEO, EACA
- Kasia Gluszak, Effie Europe Manager
Sven Huberts, former president, global innovation and experience at Dentsu & Effie Europe jury chair 2025, added, “The Effie Awards have long been a powerful beacon for our industry’s ability to drive and demonstrate commercial effectiveness. At their core, they celebrate the undeniable link between campaign objectives, strategy, creative excellence, and real business impact."
The Steering Committee helps steer the overall Effie Awards Europe programme, providing guidance on the call for entries, learning initiatives, the awards gala, categories and other strategic priorities. Its members act as ambassadors for marketing effectiveness, supporting Effie’s mission to lead, inspire, and champion the practice and practitioners of marketing effectiveness in the region.
The 2026 Call for Entries opens in June and runs until 10 September, with the Awards Gala scheduled to take place in Brussels on 3 December. Each year, thousands of industry leaders gather to celebrate and identify the most effective marketing efforts across Europe. Effie Judges bring together expertise from all areas of the marketing spectrum. If you would like to be considered as a judge for the 2026 Effie Europe season, or wish to nominate someone else, please complete this form. Judge applications for the 2026 edition are open until 31 March.
