Abby Awards 2026 Gets a World-Class Jury Chair

Introduction

What does it mean when one of the most awarded creatives in the world flies his flag over an Indian advertising honour? It means the game is changing. The Abby Awards — long considered the gold standard for creative excellence in Indian advertising — has just appointed Gaëtan du Peloux of Marcel as Jury Chair for the Still Print category at Abby Awards 2026 Powered by The One Club | The One Show. For Indian agencies and brands eyeing global benchmarks, this is a moment worth paying attention to.

The Big Announcement

Gaëtan du Peloux, Co-president and Chief Creative Officer at Marcel (Publicis Groupe), has been named Jury Chair for the Still Print category at Abby Awards 2026 — taking place at Goafest 2026 from May 20–22 in Goa.

Du Peloux is no ordinary appointment. He started as a copywriter at CLM/BBDO in Paris back in 2003 and has since built a career that most creatives only dream about — over 400 awards, including Cannes Lions Grand Prix, D&AD Black Pencils, and One Show Best of Show. He also serves as President of the French Art Directors' Club.

His most celebrated campaigns — "The Inglorious Fruits & Vegetables" for Intermarché and "The Black Supermarket" for Carrefour — are taught in creative schools worldwide. These weren't just award winners; they were cultural moments that redefined how brands talk about social issues. That's the lens he'll bring to judging Indian print work.

What This Means for Your Brand

Here's the real question Indian marketers should be asking: Are your print campaigns ready for a world-class jury?

Du Peloux's body of work has one consistent thread — ideas that are socially sharp and visually unmistakable. "Inglorious Fruits & Vegetables" tackled food waste with wit. "WoMen's Football" for Orange challenged gender bias head-on. These campaigns won not because they were pretty, but because they were brave.

For Indian brands, this jury appointment sends a clear signal: safe, product-feature print ads won't cut it at Abby 2026. Brands like Amul have shown for decades that Indian print can carry cultural weight and creative wit in equal measure. That legacy deserves more challengers.

For agency creative directors, this is a moment to audit your submissions. Ask: Does this work have a point of view? Does it reflect India's cultural complexity? Would it turn heads in Paris, not just Mumbai?

The contrarian take? Some may argue that a European jury chair brings a Western gaze to inherently local work. But du Peloux's record of judging at Cannes, D&AD, Clio, and New York Festivals suggests he understands that great ideas have no passport.

Expert Take

Du Peloux's appointment isn't just a prestige move — it's a statement about where Abby Awards is headed. The partnership with The One Club for Creativity | The One Show already gives Abby a global validity it didn't have a decade ago. Bringing in a juror with 400+ awards and jury chair credits at D&AD, Cannes Lions, LIA, Eurobest, Clio, and Andy Awards raises the bar for every entry.

Consider this: Marcel's "Inglorious Fruits & Vegetables" is widely cited as one of the most effective cause-led campaigns ever made — it reportedly helped Intermarché increase sales of "ugly" produce by 24% in its launch period. That's the intersection of creative ambition and business results that every Indian CMO should be chasing.

The brands.in Perspective

India's advertising industry is at a crossroads. Digital has dominated the conversation for years, but print — done brilliantly — still commands attention in a way no algorithm can replicate. Having Gaëtan du Peloux evaluate Indian Still Print work is a rare mirror moment. His presence doesn't just validate the category; it challenges it. Indian brands have the cultural richness, the storytelling tradition, and the market scale to produce world-beating print. The question is whether we're willing to be bold enough to try. Abby 2026 may be the nudge the industry needs.

Key Takeaways for Marketers

• Abby Awards 2026 Jury Chair for Still Print is Gaëtan du Peloux of Marcel
• Goafest 2026 runs May 20–22 in Goa — submission strategies need to start now
• Du Peloux brings 400+ awards and a social-impact-led creative philosophy
• Indian print entries must prioritise bold ideas over safe executions
• The Abby–One Club partnership is raising global stakes for Indian creative work

FAQ

Who is Gaëtan du Peloux? He is Co-president and Chief Creative Officer at Marcel (Publicis Groupe), President of the French Art Directors' Club, and one of the most decorated French creatives of his generation with 400+ global awards.

When and where is Abby Awards 2026? The Abby Awards 2026 Powered by The One Club | The One Show will be held during Goafest 2026, from May 20–22, 2026, in Goa, India.

Why does a global jury chair matter for Indian advertising? A globally recognised jury chair brings international creative standards to local judging, pushing Indian agencies and brands to produce work that competes on a world stage — not just domestically.

Let's Talk

Does India's print advertising deserve more global spotlight — or is the industry too digital-first to care? Drop your thoughts below. Follow brands.in for daily brand intelligence, marketing news, and advertising insights that matter to India's business leaders.