Cannes Lions is to name McDonald’s as its 2014 creative marketer of the year.
The fast-food chain was handed the award for its “inspiring innovative marketing” across media and markets, according to the world’s biggest advertising festival.
Cannes said that award is given to advertisers that “embrace and encourage creativity” from their agencies.
McDonald’s, which is among a growing number of clients who put in a large appearance at Cannes, has won 77 Lions since 1979.
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Most of them have been awarded in recent categories such as Creative Effectiveness, Cyber, Mobile and Promo & Activation, Cannes noted.
Asia Pacific has played a role in the awards haul, with awards coming from the brand’s agencies in Australia, Korea and Hong Kong, with DDB and media agency OMD winning for their rebranding of the restaurants to Maccas for Australia Day.
McDonald’s global brand officer Steve Easterbrook that the award shows “the enduring and inspiring relationships” the company has with its agencies.
Philip Thomas, CEO of Lions Festivals, said: “McDonald’s consistently places creativity at the heart of its advertising and communications, and that has resulted in the brand receiving many Lions at the Cannes Festival. McDonald’s and its agencies have taken creative risks to produce meaningful work, and they see award-winning content earning higher returns – a success story that will, we hope, inspire other brands.”
Last year’s winner of Cannes’ client of the year was Coca-Cola, another big supporter of the event.