Last week saw the Cannes Lions advertising awards – a global competition showcasing the world’s best ads.
It was a poor year for Australia (and indeed downright disastrous in the print category) but there were plenty of good ads from the rest of the world.
For those unfamiliar with the Lions, over a week, trophies are handed out across every advertising discipline, to agencies from across the world.
As well as Bronze, Silver and Gold, the ultimate winner of each category picks up the Grand Prix. In theory, it’s a list of the world’s best ads.
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So here, based on the Cannes Lions juries’ verdicts, are the world’s 11 best ad campaigns of the year (you can click on the links to read more about the strategies behind them):
Film: Wieden + Kennedy Portland, USA – Old Spice – ‘The Man Your Man Could Smell Like’
Film Craft: RSA Films, London – Philips Cinema TV – ‘The Gift’.
Integrated Wieden + Kennedy, Portland’s, ‘Livestrong’ for the Nike Livestrong Foundation
Titanium: Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Boulder – Best Buy’s ‘Twelpforce’
Press: ALMAPBBDO São Paulo, Brazil – Billboard magazine

Outdoor: Anomaly New York – Diesel Apparel

Direct: Special Group, Auckland – Orcon + Iggy Pop
Cyber: DDB Stockholm – VW – The Fun Theory & Livestrong Nike Chalkbot (as above)
Radio: No Grand Prix awarded
Promo: TBWA\CHIAT\DAY LA, USA – Gatorade – Replay
Design: Happiness Brussels – IQ font – Toyota
Grand Prix for Good: Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, London – Metropolitan Police – ‘Choose a Different Ending’