VML Sustains Global Success in The Drum’s 2026 World Creative Rankings

VML has once again been recognized as one of the world’s top creative agencies, securing the No. 2 spot among the world’s most awarded agency networks in The Drum’s 2026 World Creative Rankings. This marks the third consecutive year the agency has achieved this position.

The rankings, which evaluate creative excellence across global agencies, highlight VML’s ability to deliver standout campaigns across regions and industries. The agency’s work continues to earn recognition for its innovation and effectiveness, reinforcing its role as a driving force in the global creative landscape.

Additionally, WPP, VML’s parent company, retained its No. 1 ranking as the World’s Most Awarded Holding Company for the second consecutive year, further showcasing the strength and collaboration within its network.

VML’s regional offices have also earned significant recognition, with several ranked among the top 25 in their respective regions:

VML New York: No. 3 on the Most Awarded Agencies in the United States, No. 5 on the Most Awarded Agencies in the Americas, No. 8 on the World's Most Awarded Agencies
VML Kansas City: No. 15 on the World's Most Awarded Agencies in the United States
VML UK: No 15 on the World's Most Awarded Agencies in UK & Ireland
VML Mexico: No. 5 on the World's Most Awarded Agencies in LATAM, No. 17 on the Most Awarded Agencies in the Americas
VML Sydney: No. 19 on the Most Awarded Agencies in APAC

For a comprehensive list of all honorees from VML and VML Network companies, please visit The Drum's World Creative Rankings.

Image of Debbi Vandeven with text that reads: "No. 5 on The World's Most Awarded CCOs," mentioning "The Drum 2026 World Creative Rankings" and her role as "Global Chief Creative Officer, VML."

Image of Rafael Pitanguy with text that reads: "No. 8 on The World's Most Awarded CCOs," mentioning "The Drum 2026 World Creative Rankings" and his role as "Deputy Global Chief Creative Officer, VML."

Image of Nino Goldberg with text that reads: "No. 2 on LATAM's Most Awarded CCOs," mentioning "The Drum 2026 World Creative Rankings" and his role as "LATAM Chief Creative Officer, VML."

Image of Marco Versolato with text that reads: "No. 3 on APAC's Most Awarded CCOs," mentioning "The Drum 2026 World Creative Rankings" and his role as "WPP@Unilever Chief Creative Officer, VML."

Image of Paul Nagy with text that reads: "No. 4 on APAC's Most Awarded CCOs," mentioning "The Drum 2026 World Creative Rankings" and his role as "APAC Chief Creative Officer, VML."

In the spotlight are several key individuals whose talent and dedication have further solidified VML's position among the world's top creative powerhouses. Those named in the top 25 in each of their respective categories:

Debbi Vandeven, global chief creative officer: No. 4 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in the Americas and No. 5 on The World's Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers list
Rafael Pitanguy, deputy global chief creative officer: No. 5 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in the Americas and No. 8 on The World’s Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers list
Martin Nino Goldberg, LATAM chief creative officer: No. 2 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in LATAM list and No. 15 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in the Americas
Marco Versolato, chief creative officer at VML Singapore: No. 3 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in APAC list
Paul Nagy, APAC chief creative officer: No. 4 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in APAC list
Jaime Mandelbaum, EMEA chief creative officer: No. 10 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in EMEA list and No. 22 on The World's Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers list
Fred Saldanha, chief creative officer: No. 9 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in LATAM
Luis Enriquez, LATAM chief creative officer: No. 15 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in the Americas
Bas Korsten, global chief creative officer, innovation and EMEA CCO: No. 16 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in EMEA
Jake Barrow, chief creative officer, VML Czechia: No. 19 on The Most Awarded Chief Creative Officers in APAC
Breno Oliveira, associate creative director at VML New York: No. 5 on The Most Awarded Copywriters in the Americas and No. 11 on The World's Most Awarded Copywriters
Guto Monteiro, executive creative director at VML Kansas City: No. 23 on The Most Awarded Executive Creative Directors and No. 16 on The Most Awarded Executive Creative Directors in the Americas
Gabriel Jardim, executive creative director at VML New York: No. 23 on The Most Awarded Executive Creative Directors and No. 16 on The Most Awarded Executive Creative Directors in the Americas
Guilherme Possobon, creative director at VML New York: No. 13 on The Most Awarded Art Directors in the Americas
Pedro Assis, associate creative director at VML New York: No. 13 on The Most Awarded Art Directors in the Americas
Sanjiv Mistry, executive creative director at VML UK: No. 13 on The Most Awarded Creative Directors in EMEA
Kalpesh Patankar, chief creative officer at VML Dubai: No. 17 on The Most Awarded Art Directors in EMEA
Christian Santacruz, creative director at VML Mexico: No. 5 on The World's Most Awarded Copywriters in Latam and No. 18 on The Most Awarded Creative Directors in LATAM
Miguel Bautista, creative director at VML Mexico: No. 5 on The World's Most Awarded Copywriters in Latam and No. 18 on The Most Awarded Creative Directors in LATAM
Luis Paul Flores, creative director at VML Mexico: No. 10 on The Most Awarded Art Directors in LATAM and No. 18 on The Most Awarded Creative Directors in LATAM
Jonathon Jimenez, art director at VML Mexico: No. 5 on The Most Awarded Copywriters in LATAM and No. 10 on The Most Awarded Art Directors in LATAM
Ricardo Garciduenas, associate creative copywriter director at VML Mexico: No. 5 on The Most Awarded Copywriters in LATAM
Samuel Rios Y Valle, art director at VML Mexico: No. 10 on The Most Awarded Art Directors in LATAM
Celeste Alonso, art director at VML Mexico: No. 10 on The Most Awarded Art Directors in LATAM
Hector Cruz Espinosa, creative director at VML Mexico: No. 18 on The Most Awarded Creative Directors in LATAM

The agency's success extends to its groundbreaking campaigns, which have not only captured the imagination but also earned recognition across diverse sectors.

"Thanks for Coke-Creating" by VML: No. 10 in The World's Most Awarded campaigns and No. 3 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Food and Beverage sector

"This is Not a Game" by VML Mexico: No. 1 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Telecommunications sector

"Group Therapy" by VML Paris: No. 2 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Finance sector

"SupportBelt" by VML Detroit: No. 3 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Automotive sector

"Phone Break" by VML Czechia: No. 6 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the FMCG/CPG sector and No. 17 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Food and Beverage sector

"Preserved Promos" by VML New York: No. 7 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the FMCG/CPG sector

"Name This OREO" by VML New York: No. 10 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the FMCG/CPG sector and No. 24 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Food and Beverage sector

"The Philharmonic Prints" by Scholz & Friends (a VML company): No. 10 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Entertainment sector

"Wendy's Enters the Chat" by VML Kansas City: No. 13 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Retail sector

Unsilence The Violence Scholz Friends x TERRE DES FEMMES

"Unsilence the Violence" by Scholz & Friends (a VML company): No. 15 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Charity sector

"Unsilence the Crowd" by VML UK: No. 18 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Entertainment sector

"Call Glenn" by VML Belgium: No. 20 in The Most Awarded campaigns in the Health & Pharmaceutical sector

In our RFPs and in new business, you are asked about your rankings; that’s how important it is. And then, on top of that, that’s how you get good talent, more creatives want to work for you. Across the board, it is extremely important.