SINGAPORE | March 4, 2026 – Effie Asia Pacific appoints Cheryl Goh, Group Head of Marketing, Sustainability, Loyalty and Support for Grab and Dheeraj Sinha, CEO of McCann India as its first pair of Heads of Jury for the 2026 Award Show. They will be part of the Judging Committee that will lead the jury in evaluating and celebrating the most effective work in the region.
Part of the early founding team at Grab, Cheryl Goh has been instrumental in shaping one of Southeast Asia’s most recognised and enduring technology brands since its inception. As Group Head of Marketing, Sustainability, Loyalty and Support, Cheryl leads the full marketing remit across Grab’s ecosystem, which encompasses product marketing, communications, and growth, while also driving the company’s sustainability agenda and customer experience operations across the region.
Her role spans across all of Grab’s business verticals and has oversees the full business P&L of Grab’s loyalty programs, making her one of the few CMOs globally to combine deep brand-building expertise with operational and commercial accountability. Cheryl has been a keen advocate for marketing effectiveness and has served for many years on the APAC Effie jury.
On her appointment, Cheryl said, “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as a Head of Jury for the APAC Effie Awards. The Effies have always represented what I believe matters most in our craft – creativity that creates real impact. In today’s fast-moving world of AI, platforms, and ever-evolving ways to reach customers, the balance between imagination and measurable results have never been more important. I’m excited to celebrate work that proves brilliant ideas can also deliver meaningful business outcomes.”
Dheeraj Sinha is the CEO of McCann India and one of the most influential voices on Indian consumer behaviour and modern brand growth. Over his career, he has helped build and transform some of the region’s most ambitious brands including but not limited to PepsiCo, Uber, Spotify, Amazon, KFC and Mahindra, translating consumer insight, culture, and creativity into measurable growth.
He wears many hats, being an accomplished author, podcast host, and current President of the Advertising Club (AdClub) of India, shaping the industry’s future through creativity, effectiveness, and talent development. He has been a speaker at global platforms like the Cannes Lions and is a frequent jury member at competitions including the APAC Effie Awards.
On his appointment, Dheeraj said, “I am honoured to serve as a Head of Jury, the Effies represent the gold standard for effectiveness, recognising ideas that create real business impact. We are living through a time when creativity, data and technology are converging to unlock new dimensions of growth, and I am particularly excited to see how brands across APAC are harnessing this to drive meaningful outcomes. I look forward to working with an exceptional jury panel to evaluate and celebrate ideas that not only inspire but demonstrate the power of creativity as a true multiplier for business.
The APAC Effie Awards drives the industry forward by only recognising and celebrating works that work. The Effie’s rigorous competition process has earned them its reputation as the gold standard for marketing effectiveness globally.
The 2026 entry season closes soon, with the final deadline for entry applications on 9 March. Interested applicants can find out more about the competition at apaceffie.com.
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