Cannes Lions 2025: VML’s Highlights, Events, and Win Updates

Cannes Lions 2025 has officially kicked off, bringing together the world’s top creative, marketing, and advertising leaders for a week-long celebration of innovation, insight, and recognition. As the industry gathers to honor breakthrough ideas and shape what’s next for creative communications, VML is on the ground and actively participating throughout the festival.

Throughout the week, we’ll be updating this page with the latest news, including award wins, session highlights, and major announcements as they happen.

For a full schedule of VML’s activities at Cannes — from panels to events — visit our dedicated Cannes site. Scroll below for real-time updates on our performance and presence at Cannes Lions 2025.

On Tuesday, June 17, VML will host one of the standout sessions at Cannes Lions 2025: "Defying Gravity: Reimagining Brand Narratives" — a dynamic conversation on the transformative power of storytelling.

Award-winning comedian and actor Bowen Yang, Wicked director Jon Chu, and VML’s Global Chief Creative Officer Debbi Vandeven come together in a conversation — moderated by VML Global CEO Jon Cook — that explores how reimagining familiar narratives can unlock extraordinary creative potential.

Creativity thrives when we challenge expectations. Just as Wicked reshaped the classic Wizard of Oz, discover how brands can break boundaries, inspire change, and boldly embrace new possibilities.

Explore all our Cannes events and updates:

Visit VML's Cannes Site

Daily Updates

VML had a fantastic start to the week with a successful Monday, June 16, at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, securing 15 Lions!

Leading the charge was "KitKat Phone Break" by VML Prague, which secured a Grand Prix in the Outdoor category, alongside a Silver Lion in Print & Publishing.

Gold wins include a Health & Wellness Lion for "Group Therapy" by VML Paris and an Audio & Radio Lion for "NAME THIS OREO" by VML New York.

Silver wins also include Print & Publishing Lions for "The Shakespeare BIC" by VML Sao Paulo and "Not every Smile starts as a Smile" by VML Paris, an Audio & Radio Lion for "NAME THIS OREO" by VML New York, and Outdoor Lions for "Balikbayan Magic: Philippine Oriental Food Market" by VML Toronto and "The Philharmonic Prints" by Schloz & Friends, Berlin.

Additionally, we achieved multiple Bronze awards across various categories including Pharma Lions for "Don't Stop Motion" by VML Santiago and "PainVisible" by VML Madrid, New York; Health & Wellness Lions for "The Shaded Route" by VML Riyadh and "This is not a game" by VML Mexico City; and Outdoor Lions for "Coca-Cola Classic" by VML, New York, Sao Paulo, Kansas City & Paris and "The Shaded Route" by VML Riyadh.