Cannes Lions appoints first Chinese jury president Lo Sheung Yan

Lo (pictured) is also the first of 15 jury presidents to be announced for next year's event. He will lead the judging process for the outdoor category. Known as Mayan among his peers, Lo is currently JWT’s executive creative director for North East Asia and chairman for China.

Since joining JWT in 1996, Lo has produced many firsts for the China’s advertising industry — from winning China’s first gold Clio in 2005, to most recently leading China to win its first Grand Prix at Cannes Lions this year.

His press ad for Samsonite, ‘Heaven and hell’, also won three Grand Prix at Spikes Asia this year in the outdoor, print, and print and poster craft categories.

Previously, Lo has judged and chaired various local, regional and international awards such as Longxi, Chinese Advertising Awards, and the ADC Awards.

Cannes Lions Festival chairman Terry Savage said, “Countries that have never won major awards before are now sharing the stage with the more traditional winners. It’s important that we recognise this shift and as such we are delighted to appoint Mayan, a truly inspirational creative, to lead the Cannes Lions 2012 outdoor jury".

Commenting on his appointment, Lo added, “This is a great honour for our fellow creatives in China. Our talent and limitless passion to push boundaries have slowly turned people’s impression of China from one of an emerging market into that of an exciting country.”

The 59th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will take place from 17 to 23 June 2012 in France. Entries are open for submission from 26 January next year.