Two new deans named to head up the Creative Academy and Roger Hatchuel Student Academy at Cannes Lions 2025

Two new deans have been named to lead the Creative and Roger Hatchuel Student Academies at Cannes Lions 2025 – bringing global experience from both sides of the creative marketing industry and helping to guide the next generation of talent at the International Festival of Creativity. The two new appointments will look to bring an unrivalled learning experience for emerging creatives and marketers from all over the world.

Our new deans join Douwe Bergsma, who will be rejoining the Brand Marketing Academy as Dean in 2025 following a leave of absence last year.

Alan Kelly has been named as the Dean for the Creative Academy. As former Chief Creative Officer of Droga5 in Dublin, as well as Creative Director at TBWA, Alan brings a huge wealth of creative experience to his role as Dean.

Alan has won multiple Lions, including two Grands Prix, as well as awards at the One Show, Clios and D&AD. He served as Jury President in the Creative Data Lions in 2022. He’s also served on the Jury at Eurobest and at awards shows around the world, before stepping away from agency life last year to look after his two young daughters.

Having attended the Cannes Creative Leadership Programme at Cannes Lions 2015, he knows the excitement that’s in store for future Academy students. In his own words, he “loves everything about” the Festival and wants to help others see that if he can go from student to Jury President in just a few years, so can they.

Lissy Calienes will be leading the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy as Dean. As Associate Instructional Professor and Senior Lecturer in the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida in the United States, Lissy will bring vast educational experience to the Academies next year. Lissy has served as Managing Director of consultancy firms, has held the Regional Executive Creative Director position at Saatchi & Saatchi X Miami and was previously VP Planning Director Americas for Visual Latina.

With a multidisciplinary background in advertising, graphic design, film, interior design and shopper marketing, Lissy has worked alongside top global brands like P&G, Coca-Cola, Nestlé and Sony. Her work has won industry awards and recognitions, including Ad Age’s Association of Hispanic Advertising Association award, Adweek’s Best Spot award and a POPAI award. She worked on the 2006 Toyota Camry spot ‘Switch’, which was the first bilingual commercial to run in the Super Bowl.

Lissy has led several high-profile design and shopper marketing courses for students at the University of Florida – so there’s no doubt she’ll be able to transfer her knowledge and skill set to her role at Cannes Lions next year.

Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, said “The Academies are a cornerstone of the Festival of Creativity, offering a world-class education and training experience tailored to our global community. Through an exceptional network of speakers from across the media, marketing, and creative industries, these programmes empower attendees with the tools and skills to excel in their careers and produce outstanding work. Our deans play a pivotal role in setting the vision and standards for these transformative learning experiences. We are thrilled to welcome two new deans, whose diverse expertise and achievements will shape the design and delivery of these high-calibre programmes. We look forward to welcoming them, along with their students, to the Academies at Cannes Lions 2025.”

The Cannes Lions Academies help rising young talent fast-track their careers on the way to becoming the next generation of industry leaders. They combine inspiring classroom sessions with world-class speakers, hands-on learning and coaching from industry legends – all delivered at the home of creativity, onsite at Cannes Lions.

Find out more about the Creative and Brand Marketing Academies, and apply today, here. To learn about the Roger Hatchuel Student Academy and explore your application options, click here.