Finally, Ogilvy U.K. helped Dove score another Grand Prix for its “Real Beauty: Self-Esteem Project,” which won the Glass Lion for Change.
Rob Reilly, WPP’s global chief creative officer (CCO), said: “In a world increasingly shaped by AI, authentic human creativity with integrity commands a growing premium,” adding: “This year’s winners from across WPP brilliantly showcase how our agencies are owning innovation and technology, not to replace creativity, but to amplify it.”
The award bookends a bumpy first half of the year for the U.K.-based ad network.
WPP kicked off the year by ceding its crown as the world’s largest ad network by revenue to French rival Publicis Groupe. By Spring, an unpopular return-to-office mandate drew over 16,000 signatures of protest. This was followed by an unspecified number of layoffs at its media arm, Group M, renamed WPP Media shortly after.
The search for Read’s successor is on, with both external and internal candidates suggested by industry sources as contenders for the job.
In the other special Cannes Lions categories, Omnicom’s DDB won Network of the Year, and Publicis Conseil was named Agency of the Year.
OMD Worldwide won Media Network of the Year.
