First judges revealed for The Drum Awards for Commerce Media

Chairing the awards is Roger Dunn, global head of media at Diageo and one of the most respected and influential voices in the commerce media sector today. With decades of experience spanning brand strategy, media transformation and innovation at scale, Dunnis has played a pivotal role in redefining how one of the world’s largest advertisers approaches media, data and growth. 

At Diageo, he has championed effectiveness, responsible media investment and the integration of commerce thinking into broader brand ecosystems – setting standards many others now follow. His leadership ensures the Commerce Media Awards will be judged not just on creativity or novelty, but on real impact, commercial value and long-term strategic thinking.

• Explore the full judging panel, categories and details on how to submit your work before the February 11 deadline

Supporting him as vice-chair is Marissa (Ferrao) Godlewski, director of the digital commerce center of excellence at Church & Dwight. A leading authority on digital commerce strategy, Godlewski sits at the intersection of brand, retailer and technology. She brings deep expertise in scaling best-in-class commerce capabilities across complex organisations, ensuring innovation translates into measurable growth. Her perspective adds a vital layer of rigor and relevance to the judging process, particularly as brands navigate increasingly fragmented retail and media landscapes.

Together, Dunn and Godlewski anchor a judging panel made up of senior leaders from across brands, retailers, platforms and agencies, each selected for their hands-on experience and strategic influence in commerce media. They include:

• Khara Bozler Hutchinson, head of programmatic and integrated digital activation, Bayer
• Keith Lehman, director, global digital commerce marketing, Colgate-Palmolive
• Ekta Chopra, chief digital officer, Elf Beauty
• Jason O’Toole, head of connected commerce & media, Hanesbrands
• Chris Price, VP, media and connected consumer experiences, Heineken
• Bryant Ross, director, digital commerce + omnichannel strategy, Kimberly-Clark Corporation
• Chirag Dattani, lead, e-commerce and customer marketing, Kraft Heinz
• Dale Edman, VP of e-commerce North America, Lipton
• Cristina Marinucci, VP, global growth and omni-commercial insights, Mondelez International
• Darren Silverman, senior vice-president, marketing and digital commerce, Petmate
• Paulo Cesar Bacarin Filho, commercial director, Tom’s of Maine

From global FMCG giants to digital-first disruptors, the full jury reflects the breadth and maturity of commerce media today.

Entries to the Awards are now open with an initial submission deadline of Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Nominations will be announced on March 26, before the ceremony in Miami on April 27.

Find out more about The Drum Awards for Commerce Media.

The new awards form part of The Drum’s expanding investment in commerce media as one of the defining frontiers of modern marketing. This includes a dedicated Commerce Media month on thedrum.com and increased editorial focus led by retail media correspondent Kiri Masters. The Drum is committed to becoming the global platform for news, insight, inspiration and celebration across the commerce media ecosystem.