Our Judging Panel
( unofficially known as The Screen Sultans)
Our judges in the Digital Media Awards are a diverse bunch of experts in their field who know their stuff when it comes to all things digital. They’re the ones who sift through all the entries and decide which ones are deserving of recognition and praise. These judges have a sharp eye for great content, innovative designs, and top-notch user experiences. They’re passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest digital trends and technologies, and they take their role in the awards seriously. But don’t let that fool you – they’re also a fun-loving bunch who appreciate a good meme or viral video just like the rest of us! (Some judges on our panel would like to remain anonymous.)
Judges Info
Adam Taylor has over 20 years’ experience in the media industry. He previously held senior roles including Head of Digital at GT Media and Head of Strategy at Havas Media Ireland, before being appointed Deputy Managing Director of Havas Media in 2023.
Adam has been recognised for award-winning strategic work across a range of clients, including Emirates Airlines, Cash and Carry Kitchens, Domino’s Pizza and Colourtrend Paints. In his current role, he has played a key role in driving significant growth for Havas Media in Ireland
Judges Info
Caoimhe Nugent is a Senior Marketing Strategist with over eight years of experience delivering results-driven campaigns across the tech, retail, and lifestyle sectors. At Google, she specialises in YouTube and AI-powered advertising solutions, partnering with some of the largest agencies and brands to lead strategic workshops and upskilling sessions focused on digital innovation and creative effectiveness.
A First-Class Honours graduate in Business and Management (Marketing) from TU Dublin, Caoimhe blends analytical thinking with creative insight. She currently sits on the TU Dublin Industry Advisory Board, where she contributes to the development of marketing education with a focus on AI and future-ready skills.
Caoimhe is looking forward to joining this year’s judging panel and celebrating work that combines fresh thinking, strong execution, and meaningful impact.
Judges Info
Colin Baker is the CEO of Back from the Future IT, a leading tech support and repair company, and a familiar face to viewers of Ireland AM, where he regularly presents the latest in consumer technology. With a background as an electronics technician and IT support engineer, Colin brings over two decades of hands-on experience in the tech industry. He is also a licensed pilot and an enthusiastic advocate for all things tech, from emerging gadgets to aviation systems. Colin is passionate about innovation, problem-solving, and making technology accessible and exciting for everyone.
Judges Info
Darina Sexton joined Microsoft in 2018 and spearheads all internal and external comms for the Irish Subsidiary. Her extensive 20-year career spans all areas of corporate affairs in both senior and leadership roles across technology, telecoms, pharma, and retail. At Microsoft, her innovative communication strategies have bolstered customer and partner relations, helping establish the company in the Irish market as a thought leader in AI, the future of work, and security. She sits on the crisis management team and is an advisor to senior leaders.
Darina’s tenure at Tesco, MSD, and Vodafone is marked by significant achievements, including internal and external recognition for public relations and social media campaigns.
Darina holds a Master of Business Studies from the IMI, diplomas in Digital Marketing, Management, and Public Relations, in addition to a Master of Arts and an International Bachelor of Arts from UCD.
Darina is an advocate for environmental issues and women in STEM, she served for eight years on the board of Le Cheile, a charity that provides mentoring for young offenders.
Judges Info
Dusty has been in the business of audio and communicating since he was a teenager. By 21, Dusty found himself broadcasting to over six million listeners every day in the United Kingdom on Atlantic 252. He then landed his dream job at RTÉ 2FM. Dusty produced and hosted many different shows on 2FM including the station’s flagship “Hotline” show. Dusty went on to form an independent radio production company creating music shows, magazine programmes, and long-form documentaries for local and national radio.
In 2006 his company also began creating and producing podcasts for companies, brands and organisations, many years before most of us had heard of a podcast! Due to his pioneering work in creating branded podcasts for a number of major brands and organisations, he is considered an authority in this arena and is often affectionately referred to as “The PodFather”.
To this day, Dusty remains the only Independent Producer to have won multiple gold awards at Ireland’s Annual IMRO Radio Awards and has added to his accolades by collecting numerous awards for his work in podcasting.
Judges Info
Edel is the Head of Digital Marketing for EY Ireland, responsible for the Firmwide digital strategy and digital demand generation across brand and client initiatives. She is an experienced guest speaker, trainer and digital lecturer.
Edel brings 15 years’ experience delivering creative, results-driven, integrated digital campaigns for leading brands throughout her career in agency and in-house.
She is passionate about coaching and empowering high performance teams and harnessing the power digital to deliver impactful client experiences and business results.
Judges Info
Emmet Ryan is a technology journalist with over two decades of experience in the sector. A columnist with the Irish Times, Ryan is the founder of BiE Media, a media content and strategy business. He is also a regular face and voice on national and international broadcast media as well as being an experienced sports commentator in both Irish and English.
Judges Info
He founded Fathom in 2011 as a dedicated user experience and service design agency, selling it to Low&Behold in 2021. Previously he was the MD of Ionology, a leading digital strategy consultancy, headquartered in Belfast and with major clients in 15 countries. Prior to that he was the MD of Tibus, one of the largest and most successful web development agencies in Ireland, from 2002 to 2009 when it was sold to UTV plc.
Gareth sits on the board of Dot IE, the Irish Domain Registry. He is former Board Member of Irish Internet Association, and Chairman of WeddingsOnline.ie. He writes & lectures extensively on Internet related matters, occupying regular columns in Silicon Republic, SyncNI and Business Eye. Gareth is a former judge of the eir Spider Awards, the DANI Awards and the IIA Net Visionary Awards.
Judges Info
Gavin McKenna is Head of Marketing, Digital and Communications at Visit Belfast, leading brand, campaigns, social, PR, digital and partnerships for one of the UK’s most exciting city destinations. With over a decade in media direction across digital, social and influencer, he has built high-performing teams and shaped strategy for global brands. Since joining Visit Belfast he has launched the UK’s first social-first tourism website, and driven 23% average social channel growth, a He has spoken at Meta Agency Summit events and was nominated as a Rising Star at the PMW Awards.
Judges Info
Grace brings over 10 years’ experience delivering creative, results-driven integrated digital media campaigns for leading brands across the banking, energy, insurance, and hospitality sectors. An ESA graduate, she specialises in brand development, digital marketing, sponsorship, performance management, eCommerce, and innovation — always with an eye on emerging channels that drive measurable growth. Most recently leading digital and marketing in the dynamic hospitality industry, Grace blends AI, personalisation, and data-led strategy to shape impactful guest experiences. She firmly believes that the right media choices are what set exceptional campaigns apart.
Judges Info
Ian Campbell is a Digital Board Director with Zenith (part of Core), one of Ireland’s leading media agencies which represents several top Irish & international brands including McDonald’s, Disney, ALDI, Irish Life & IDA Ireland amongst many others.
Ian is one of Ireland’s leading digital experts with 15 years’ experience working in agency digital performance roles. He joined the Zenith board in 2022 and has significantly advanced their digital performance offering.
He is a multi-award winning digital performance specialist at both a local & international level. He is highly active within the industry; sitting on the IAB AI Council, lecturing at UCD Smurfit School as well as judging at multiple domestic awards.
Judges Info
A native of Co. Roscommon, John is a lecturer and researcher in the Faculty of Business, Atlantic Technological University (ATU). John has worked
with tourism, hospitality and event organisations abroad and in Ireland and he regularly conducts research and provides consultancy services. John teaches marketing, public relations and management modules on a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in ATU, is a Fellow of the Irish Hospitality Institute and a principal investigator with STORY@ATU (the Sustainable Tourism and Visitor Experience Lab @ ATU).
Judges Info
Keith is a Director Connexus Recruit at , a leading Digital Recruitment Agency based in Dublin.
He has over ten years experience working within digital marketing recruitment in Ireland as well as globally.
Throughout his career to date he has been working with and helping a large portfolio of clients from major multinationals, digital agencies as well as start-ups and SME’s across all industries.
Judges Info
Mark is a seasoned engineer and product leader with 15+ years of experience. He excels in creating thrilling apps, platforms, and products. As the former Head of Development at ZOO, he collaborated closely with marketing and design departments to deliver award-winning digital experiences. At Eaton Corporation, he led the development of innovative power management products, integrating Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for sustainability. Currently, Mark leads a team of product managers at Shutterstock, overseeing AI and data projects
Judges Info
Niall Kitson is editor of TechCentral.ie and co-host of TechRadio, Ireland’s longest-running technology podcast. For more than 15 years he has been tracing the story of technology in Ireland at all levels from start-ups formed at the kitchen table, to multinationals drawn here by a motivated and skilled workforce, to artists who use AI to show what it means to be human in the 21st century.
Judges Info
Paula Cerruti is a Director at Reputation Inc, specialising in corporate communications, stakeholder intelligence, engagement and activation. She works across a diverse portfolio of Irish and international clients, spanning sectors including pharma, medtech, FMCG and professional services. Across her work, Paula leads the design, development and delivery of complex integrated reputation programmes, encompassing strategy, media relations, digital communications, employer brand, internal comms and sustainability.
Originally from Argentina, Paula studied Social Communications, Journalism and Political Science in Uruguay and the UK, and holds an MA in Public Affairs and Political Communication from TU Dublin.
Judges Info
Tara Moran is a seasoned marketing strategist with extensive experience leading award-winning campaigns in her role as Head of Sales at Virgin Media Television (VMTV). Known for her creativity and commercial acumen, Tara has played a pivotal role in shaping the commercial innovations that have resulted in many recent award wins for Virgin Media Televison’s Commercial department, including most recently winning Media Brand of The Year at the 2025 Media Awards.
She joined VMTV from Maximum Media where she spent 5 years as Head of Brand Partnerships. She is a graduate of the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School where she earned a Masters in Marketing Practice and she also has a Bachelor of Commerce International (Spanish) from NUI Galway. She was twice named in in the Business Post Top 30 under 30 in Irish Tech list.
Judges Info
Viv holds 18 plus years’ experience across Media Agencies and Media Owners specialising in Digital Marketing, Performance Management, eCommerce and Business development.
At The Irish Times Group, Viv was responsible for the growth in revenue and new product development for a wide range of their platforms. She joined IPG Mediabrands in 2015 and developed their Digital Offering and expertise across all digital channels.
With an MA in Digital Technology, Diploma in Web Design, Media production and Digital Strategy, Viv is passionate about how everything connects in a Digital world from Product to End User.
Through Vivs career she has been supported by great mentors and colleagues. She recognises we are in a people led industry and she is now progressing her career and fulfilling her entrepreneurial goals by starting her own recruitment consultancy business, ThinkDifferently.ie that focuses on hiring and developing diverse candidates for the media communications sector.
