No. 1
Debbi Vandeven
VML Leaders Claim Four Spots in Cannes Lions CCO Rankings 2026
Debbi Vandeven leads the global rankings at No. 1, with Rafael Pitanguy, Bas Korsten and Jaime Mandelbaum also recognized in Top 10
- Published Date
- Oct 09, 2026
VML is moving up the Cannes Lions rankings — and our creative leaders are at the top of the list. The 2026 rankings named Debbi Vandeven the world’s No. 1 Chief Creative Officer, with Rafael Pitanguy at No. 3, Bas Korsten at No. 7, and Jaime Mandelbaum at No. 8.
The Cannes Lions Creativity Rankings named VML the No. 2 global creative network, up from No. 4 last year. VML also ranked No. 2 in Europe, No. 3 in North America, No. 4 in the Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa, No. 5 in Asia and Latin America, and No. 7 in MENA.
Cannes Rankings: Top 10 Chief Creative Officers
VML Agencies Earn Global and Regional Recognition
VML agencies also earned strong placements. VML New York ranked No. 2 globally, followed by VML London at No. 10 and VML Warsaw at No. 11. In regional rankings, VML New York placed No. 1 in North America; VML Bangkok, No. 4 in Asia; VML London, No. 5, and VML Warsaw, No. 6, in Europe; VML Mexico City, No. 5, and VML São Paulo, No. 15, in Latin America; VML Riyadh, No. 8 in MENA; VML Sydney, No. 5 in the Pacific; and VML South Africa, No. 4 in Sub-Saharan Africa.
VML London was recognized in the Agency Engagement track, while VML Warsaw earned recognition in the Agency Experience track.
Several of VML’s brand partners earned recognition among the Top 20 Brands list, including KITKAT at No. 2, IKEA at No. 3, Vaseline at No. 5, Wisła Football at No. 13, and OREO at No. 14.
VML’s creative talent earned top rankings across art direction, copywriting, and creative leadership:
Art Directors
- Jonathan Jimenez and Samuel Rios — No. 4
- Stephane Coic-Robert — No. 6
- Sally Fiddes — No. 8
- Amanda Chen and Hanri Le Roux — No. 10
Copywriters
- Pedro German Lopez — No. 5
- Sarah Brighton — No. 6
- Isabel Evens — No. 8
- Javier Frias — No. 9
Creative Directors
- Rodolfo Lopez — No. 7
Together, these rankings celebrate the people and creative work behind VML’s global momentum—and the human-first approach that continues to shape the network’s impact.
For the full list of VML Network wins and Cannes Lions 2026 rankings, click here.
