Kay McCarthy

Judge

Kay McCarthy is a Senior Strategy and Insight Advisor with over 30 years’ experience turning research and consumer insight into clear, effective strategies for leading brands and organisations.

As Founder of MCCP, a leading and multi-award-winning strategy and insight agency, Kay has led insight-led strategy across a wide range of sectors, including retail, alcohol, FMCG, tourism, education, health, financial services and the public sector. This breadth of experience brings a strong understanding of what makes research rigorous, relevant and, importantly, useful in shaping better decisions.

Kay’s career spans senior client-side experience at Diageo and a regional leadership role as EVP Strategy at McCann WorldGroup. Kay now works as a Brand Strategy Advisor, facilitating strategy with senior teams and supporting leaders to bring clarity, insight and focus to complex business and brand challenges.

Kay has been invited to judge many awards including the Global and EMEA Effies in 2026 . Kay was President of the Marketing Society in 2008 and is passionate about it and the role of insight research as a cornerstone of effective marketing.