Esosa Osagiede, Creative Director at Insight Publicis, has been appointed as a juror in the Print & Publishing category at the 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Esosa first made headlines in 2023 when she became the only West African selected for the Cannes “See It Be It” programme, an initiative that celebrates and uplifts 15 outstanding women leaders in advertising worldwide.

Now, Esosa returns to Cannes, but not just as an observer. This time, she will help set the creative standards for the industry, joining a distinguished panel that will judge the world’s best advertising work.

Reflecting on her appointment, Esosa said: “I have admired this from afar for a very, very long time. Every year, I’d rush to check the jury list like it was the Grammys. Who made the cut? Who are these brilliant minds handpicked from around the world?

“It always seemed like an opportunity for a chosen few, until I realised I belonged in that room too. And now here we are. I’m incredibly humbled and honoured (still a little numb) to be a Print and Publishing juror at Cannes Lions. I can’t wait to bring my voice into the jury room and help set the creative benchmark for the year ahead.”

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Esosa’s journey in advertising has been anything but typical. She started as a copywriter in Nigeria, quickly making her mark with big ideas that challenge norms and spark conversations. Her portfolio includes impactful work for global brands like Burger King, YouTube, Pepsi, 7up, Heineken, Nestlé, and First Bank.

Under her creative leadership, Insight Publicis was crowned Agency of the Year at the LAIF Awards in 2024, while Esosa was named Creative Personality of the Year at the 2024 Edge Awards and won Most Outstanding Creative Director at WIMCA in both 2023 and 2024.

Her campaign for TERRA, “Unwrap Joy, Unleash Taste,” won a Grand Prix at LAIF 2023, further cementing her reputation for emotionally resonant, high-impact work. In 2025, she was also featured on the DARE! List, celebrating Black creative leaders shaping the future of global advertising.

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Beyond her award-winning work, Esosa is deeply committed to mentoring young creatives, especially women, through advertising schools and industry initiatives. She has also served as a juror for several top international awards, including CLIO, D&AD, The One Show, The ANDYs, Publicis Giraffe, and LAIF.

Her appointment to the Cannes Lions Jury is not just a personal achievement but a powerful statement — a win for African creativity, inclusivity, and a new generation of storytellers determined to make their mark.

Esosa’s story from Lagos to the world is a testament to the power of imagination, courage, and belief.