Praful Akali, Neha Tulsian and Ashish Chakravarty Named ABBY Awards 2026 Jury Chairs

Why It Matters

The appointment signals the ABBY Awards’ growing prestige, as seasoned creators will shape industry‑wide standards for creative excellence across three high‑impact categories.

Key Takeaways

• Praful Akali leads Health jury, former Pfizer exec.
• Neha Tulsian heads Design jury, founder of NH1 Design.
• Ashish Chakravarty chairs Audio & Radio jury, Garage Worldwide CCO.
• ABBY Awards partner with The One Club, boosting global credibility.
• Jury chairs bring Cannes Lions and D&AD experience to awards.

Pulse Analysis

The ABBY Awards, now powered by The One Club | The One Show, have cemented their status as a premier platform for recognizing creative work in India and beyond. By aligning with a globally respected organization, the awards broaden their reach and attract entries that meet international benchmarks. The 2026 edition expands its focus to three core categories—Health, Design, and Audio & Radio—reflecting the market’s shift toward specialized, high‑impact communication disciplines.

The newly announced jury chairs bring a wealth of cross‑industry expertise. Praful Akali, founder of Medulla Communications, blends agency and client perspectives, having led campaigns for Pfizer and earned Cannes Lions, Clio and Effie honors. Neha Tulsian, the creative force behind NH1 Design, leverages a design‑first philosophy honed in both India and the UK, with prior service on D&AD panels. Ashish Chakravarty, Garage Worldwide’s chief creative officer, adds two decades of audio branding mastery, having guided regional and global brands to award‑winning radio spots. Their collective experience promises rigorous evaluation criteria and fresh insights for entrants.

For advertisers and agencies, the 2026 ABBY Awards represent a strategic opportunity to benchmark creativity against global standards and gain visibility in a market increasingly driven by health narratives, design‑centric branding, and audio storytelling. The presence of high‑profile jurors also signals that winning entries will likely set trends for the coming year, influencing budget allocations and creative direction across sectors. Stakeholders should monitor the awards closely, as the outcomes will shape best‑practice guidelines and highlight emerging talent poised to lead the next wave of brand communication.