AD Agencies
Cannes Lions roars into action with creatives and a Czech first
MUMBAI: Day one of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025 saw a sizzling lineup of winners across the Health & Wellness, Outdoor, Pharma, Print & Publishing, and Audio & Radio categories — and even a historic first Grand Prix for the Czech Republic.
Lions CEO Simon Cook said, “It’s always an exciting moment when we see the results of our Juries’ hard work in establishing the global creative benchmark. We’re seeing work that not only pushes creative boundaries but also demonstrates the tangible impact creativity can have on business and society. Thank you to all our Jurors for their commitment, time and expertise in selecting the ideas that truly move the industry forward.”
Ogilvy Shanghai took home the Grand Prix in Pharma Lions for ‘Make Love Last – Bedroom’, a poetic Viagra campaign for Viatris that turned intimacy into art. From 305 entries, 9 Lions were awarded in the category.
Pharma Lions jury president and Area 23, an IPG Health company, executive VP, executive experience director, USA, Franklin Williams commented, “This piece stood out by saying everything without needing to say a word. Its long-exposure technique delivered intimacy and product benefit with breathtaking subtlety, turning regulation into creative opportunity. Beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant, it made a pharmaceutical brand feel deeply human. For me, it was a bold yet quiet masterclass in storytelling and an unforgettable example of how craft can carry meaning.”
In Health & Wellness, it was science meets skincare as Ogilvy Singapore scooped the Grand Prix for Vaseline Verified, a savvy campaign that saw scientists test viral hacks and share the truth straight with creators. Out of 1169 entries, 33 Lions were awarded here.
Commenting on the Grand Prix winner, Health & Wellness jury president and Havas Health Network Global chief creative officer Eric Weisberg said, “People run toward light and away from darkness. With health misinformation becoming a global emergency, we found a bright light in ‘Vaseline Verified’ – —our Grand Prix winner. This work proves how creativity, joy, science, and influencer culture can powerfully unite to fight false narratives, educate, and transform lives.”
Ruffling feathers with humour, The Best Place In The World To Have Herpes for the NZ Herpes Foundation grabbed the Grand Prix for Good, thanks to its sharp, irreverent take on stigma, national pride and a one-of-a-kind “destigmatisation course”.
Jury president United Nations Foundation Chief Communications & Marketing Officer David Ohana said, “This year’s Lions Health Grand Prix for Good unabashedly uses humor to tackle a challenging subject and stigmatization. Forget doom & gloom, there’s enough of that already to go around. Our 2025 awardee took a taboo topic and turned it on its head – showing that with a great strategy, a big bold crazy idea (…can only imagine the pitch…), and humor for days, that anything is possible. Brilliant.”
Meanwhile, Africa Creative DDB São Paulo turned the dial up with One Second Ads for Budweiser, nabbing the Audio & Radio Grand Prix for cleverly compressing iconic songs into blink-and-miss-it spots — then making fans guess them on social media.
Audio & Radio Jury President and Joe Public Chief Creative Officer, Africa and Middle East, Xolisa Dyeshana said, “Budweiser’s ‘1 Second Ads’ campaign was exceptionally creative, insightful, and fresh. It resonated with the brand, the medium, and most importantly, the target audience. It was an audio-first idea that couldn’t have been pulled off without the power of sound. The execution was flawless, and it achieved the ultimate goal of all communication: keeping people coming back for more.”
Print & Publishing saw Serviceplan Munich win the Grand Prix for Price Packs for PENNY — packaging that wore its price tag like a badge of honour, ditching design frills in favour of full-throttle affordability messaging.
Print & Publishing jury president and DM9 Brazil president and chief creative officer Icaro Doria said: “Price Packs is print, is publishing, is packaging and is a point of view! A massive brand statement and commitment to their customers printed on paper for people to see, hold and take it home. We were all deeply impressed with the simplicity, the elegance, the courage and, well, the prices too!”
In Outdoor, there were two Grands Prix: one went to VML Prague for Phone Break for KitKat, marking Czech Republic’s first-ever Grand Prix. The witty work swapped out people’s phones in public ads with KitKats, reviving the legendary “Have a break” line with a modern-day twist.
About the work, Outdoor Lions jury president and Ogilvy Latam chief creative officer Keka Morelle said: “Masterclass in Outdoor. Without words or logos, it communicates a strong message through a beautifully crafted image. It captures the moment we’re living in, reinforces the brand’s concept, and immediately sparks reflection, holding up a mirror to our screen addiction.”
The other Outdoor honour went to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games campaign, which turned the Seine into a spectacular floating stage, waving France’s tricolour values of liberty, equality and fraternity with high-production swagger.
Commenting on the second Grand Prix this year, Morelle said, “It’s bold, unforgettable, and a clear reminder of the limitless power of Outdoor. This work redefines public space as a platform not just for visibility, but for meaning, where brand values meet cultural relevance. This is how Outdoor should be seen: expansive, emotional, and essential to authentic brand expression in today’s world.”
Special awards handed out include:
● Healthcare Network of the Year: FCB Health, Real Chemistry, Ogilvy Health
● Healthcare Agency of the Year: AREA 23, an IPG Health company, New York
Followed by 21Grams and Ogilvy Health
So far, it’s less lions lying in the sun, more roaring brilliance from every corner of the globe.
AD Agencies
Goafest 2026 set for 20–22 May in Goa
South Asia’s marquee advertising festival returns with ABBY Awards powered by One Show and promises bigger conversations on creativity and innovation
GOA: The advertising industry’s annual pilgrimage is locked in. The 19th edition of Goafest will take place in Goa from 20 to 22 May 2026, bringing together the biggest names in advertising, media and marketing for three days of ideas, networking and celebration.
Announced jointly by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC), the festival will once again host the ABBY Awards powered by One Show 2026 — widely regarded as the region’s most coveted creative honours — recognising outstanding work across advertising and media.
Launched in 2006, Goafest has evolved into the industry’s marquee gathering, drawing more than 2,000 professionals each year. Beyond the awards, the event has become a forum for big debates, future-facing ideas and the occasional industry soul-searching.
Srinivasan K Swamy, president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India, said the festival remains a crucible for industry thought and collaboration. “Goafest has always been a melting pot of ideas, creativity and camaraderie. We aim to spark new conversations, fresh perspectives and fuel the future of advertising and marketing. It is an occasion for the industry to come together, celebrate excellence and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our craft.”
Dheeraj Sinha, president of The Advertising Club, underlined the legacy of the ABBY Awards, now in their 57th year. “Goafest has always been synonymous with creativity, collaboration and industry excellence. The ABBY Awards powered by One Club continue to push boundaries and set new creative benchmarks year after year. In its 57th year, the awards continue to raise the bar, and this year’s edition will be even more inspiring, bringing together the brightest minds in the industry.”
For organisers, the festival has grown beyond a calendar event. Jaideep Gandhi, vice president of AAAI and chairman of the Goafest 2026 organising committee and founder of Another Idea, said the property has become a legacy for the industry. “In its 19th year, Goafest is no longer just an event — it is a legacy we are privileged to carry forward. It is a unifying force that brings together the various industry associations across advertising and marketing under one roof. I am deeply grateful to the stalwarts who envisioned this remarkable property, and it is heartening that some of them continue to be actively involved in its journey.”
The organisers promise that the upcoming edition will dial things up a notch. Mohit Joshi, co-chair of the Goafest 2026 organising committee and chief executive officer of Havas Media India, said the festival is gearing up for a bigger, more immersive format. “Over the past 18 editions, Goafest has evolved into a premier platform that celebrates creativity, innovation and the dynamic transformation of our industry. This year Goafest will be more impactful than ever. It will introduce new formats, immersive engagements and high-calibre discussions that have never been done before.”
“With a larger scale, an inspiring line-up of speakers and a focus on cutting-edge ideas,” Joshi added, “Goafest 2026 is set to redefine the way our industry comes together to learn, collaborate and celebrate.”
Co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club, the festival continues to position itself as South Asia’s premier advertising gathering — where ideas collide, creativity gets crowned and the industry takes a long, hard look at where it is headed next.
