The creative lens widens on Day 2 of LIA judging as three more panels take their seats in Las Vegas: Entertainment & Content and Cultural Catalyst; Design and Package Design; and Democracy and Human Rights.
With new disciplines joining established ones, today’s juries will be looking at creativity across an even broader spectrum, from storytelling and design craft to cultural impact and ideas that engage with some of society’s most important issues.
And tomorrow, the Encore at Wynn gets even busier as 128 emerging talents from around the world arrive for the start of Creative LIAisons.
New categories, new areas of impact
As the role of creativity expands, so does the way it is recognized. Cultural Catalyst, new for 2026, celebrates work that sparks conversation, sets trends and becomes part of culture beyond its initial launch. Democracy and Human Rights, also new this year, honors creativity that promotes free expression, fair representation, accountability and essential freedoms. Entertainment & Content returns with a sharper focus on storytelling that earns attention as entertainment in its own right across film, television, gaming, mobile and live experiences.
On where creativity is heading, Terry Savage, Chairman of LIA, shared, “Our industry keeps finding new places for creativity to make an impact. These categories are about recognizing that evolution, whether creativity is shaping culture, strengthening democratic values or creating entertainment people actively choose to spend time with.”
LIA’s inaugural democracy and human rights jury
An interview with Gloria Pitagorsky, Managing Partner of Heard City, New York; Jury President, Anthony Chelvanathan, Global Creative Partner & CCO of Edelman Canada and Matt Murphy, Global Chief Creative Officer of 72andSunny.
For 128 rising stars from around the world, the wait is almost over as Creative LIAisons begins in Las Vegas tomorrow. Since launching in 2012, the program has helped develop emerging talent across the industry, with past attendees going on to become creative leaders, CCOs and, in some cases, returning to LIA as jurors themselves.
Over the next five days, attendees will gain direct access to some of the industry’s most experienced leaders through candid conversations, workshops and, later in the week, the rare opportunity to observe live Statue discussions inside the LIA jury rooms. It’s a front-row view of how great work is made, evaluated and defended, alongside the kind of connections and perspectives that can shape a career.
adobo Magazine is an official media partner of the 2026 London International Awards and the Creative LIAsons Program.
