VML’s Pride Grows With 27 Lions at Cannes 2017

Global marketing agency VML had its best Cannes performance with 27 Lions, including two Gold, 13 Silver, 12 Bronze and 26 shortlist recognitions across 16 categories. View VML’s winning work here.

The journey to winning the Lions this year began with VML’s first Lion just five years ago. VML has experienced rapid growth in recognition, hitting its pinnacle this year, as the agency more than doubled its wins from 2016, achieving a record 27 Lions.

The 64th annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, held June 17th-24th, is the world’s largest and most prestigious awards show and festival for the advertising industry.

“I am very pleased to see the wins spanning our global network and many of our client partners,” said Debbi Vandeven, VML global chief creative officer. “This recognition exemplifies our focus on finding human truths and creating ideas that connect with consumers. We strive to create work that pushes boundaries and makes a valuable impact for our brand partners.”

North American clients recognised include LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Motorola Mobility, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Wendy’s and Youth Ambassadors.

Gold Lions across the VML Network include:

Youth Ambassadors Welcome to My Neighborhood by VML Kansas City

Gold Design – Promotional Item Design

Absolut One Source Campaign by VML Cape Town

Gold Entertainment – Talent: Film, Series & Audio

“A true win for the ultimate collaboration and celebration of African creativity on a global stage,” said Melanie Campbell, head of marketing, White Spirits & Rum, Pernod Ricard South Africa. “I have no doubt this is only the beginning of the movement driven by the only brand that credibly could.”

VML Cape Town also received two Silver and three Bronze Lions, while VML Australia received two Silver and two Bronze Lions.

Across North America, VML was recognised with 17 Lions, including:

LEGOLAND Florida: Quest to Legoland by VML New York

Silver Mobile – App Games

Silver Entertainment – Brand Experience / Mobile

Silver Entertainment – Innovation in Brand Experience

Bronze Mobile – Activation by Location

Bronze Digital Craft – Native & Built-in Feature Integration

Motorola Mobility: Drop Sales by VML New York

Bronze Promo & Activation – Durable Consumer Goods

Wendy’s: #NuggsForCarter by VML Kansas City

Silver Cyber – Community Building / Management

Silver PR– Public Relations Social Influencer Communication & Amplification

Silver PR – Public Relations Social Community Building / Management

Bronze PR – Media Relations

"Consumer engagement means everything to the Wendy's business,” said Kurt Kane, Wendy’s chief concept and marketing officer. “Without it, growth simply can't happen. That's why the creativity consistently demonstrated by our team at VML is such a game changer."

Other wins include:

Wendy’s: Twitter Beef by VML Kansas City

Silver PR – Public Relations Real-time Response

Bronze Cyber – Real-time Response

Youth Ambassadors: Welcome to My Neighborhood by VML Kansas City

Gold Design – Promotional Item Design

Silver Design – Illustration / Other Communication Design

Silver Print & Publishing – Books

Bronze Health & Wellness – Pro-bono led Education & Awareness

Bronze PR – Illustration

“VML has given invaluable visual representation to the challenges facing underserved teenagers in Kansas City's urban core,” said Tiffany Poor Lynch, co-founder and director of development, Youth Ambassadors. “This creative work has allowed Youth Ambassadors to greatly expand programming and reach many more youth. We treasure our partnership with VML!”