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Creative Commerce Lions

The Creative Commerce Lions celebrate the innovative and creative approach to online and offline commerce and payment solutions.

Introduction

The history of the Creative Commerce Lions

In 2018 the Creative eCommerce Lions were introduced to recognise innovative e-commerce payment solutions in response to changing marketing challenges.

In 2022, this Lions was rebranded as the Creative Commerce Lions to reflect the broader scope of modern commerce, now including areas like inclusive commerce and sustainable commerce.

This evolution was necessary to keep pace with the rapid changes in the commerce landscape, highlighting the increasing importance of creativity across all commerce channels.

What kind of work can be entered?

Innovative work that enhances the shopping experience and transforms how consumers engage with brands. This includes shoppable experiences such as livestreams, social commerce, and immersive e-commerce platforms that utilize technology to enable customers to transition seamlessly from inspiration to purchase. Entries may also include omnichannel innovation that creates cohesive customer journeys across physical and digital channels, integrating in-store and online experiences through tools like digital kiosks and personalized mobile checkouts.

Interactive and gamified commerce initiatives that engage users in playful experiences, as well as social commerce integrations that utilize platforms like Instagram or TikTok for direct sales, are also encouraged. Creative commerce work promoting sustainable and ethical commerce solutions, innovations that simplify the checkout process, and community and loyalty building programs that foster brand loyalty are also eligible.

What’s the Jury looking for?

Creative approaches that optimise the end-to-end customer journey and lead to measurable commercial success. The work should demonstrate a seamless blend of storytelling with commerce, guiding customers naturally from engagement to purchase. The work should show a clear link to sales objectives, using innovative media and technology to create an experience that feels personalised and interactive. It should reflect strong brand identity and cultural relevance making a meaningful impact on consumers.

YOUR 2ND FAVOURITE BEER | MATILDA BAY | HOWATSON+COMPANY, SYDNEY | BRONZE, CREATIVE COMMERCE LIONS | 2024

The Categories

A. Creative Commerce: Sectors

The same entry can be submitted only once in this section.

B. Commerce Channels

Work in these categories will be judged on commerce creativity and channel innovation.

C. Engagement

Creative commerce work in this section should focus on engaging and captivating audiences both online and offline.

D. User Experience

Commerce work in this section should focus on the customer journey, ensuring a seamless experience at every touchpoint.

E. Challenges & Breakthroughs

Creative and innovative work that's brought to life through deep cultural insight, regional context and progressive thinking.

Eligibility

Work will need to have been executed during the eligibility period of 8 February 2024 - 10 April 2025.

Is there a limit to how many times I can enter?

The same piece of work can be entered up to four times in Creative Commerce.

Exceptions:

  • The same piece of work may only be entered once in ‘A. Creative Commerce: Sectors’.

SHT | IKEA | EDELMAN, TORONTO | GOLD, CREATIVE COMMERCE LIONS | 2024

Previous Winners

Renault - Cars to Work

Cannes Lions 2024 Grand Prix Publicis Conseil, Paris / Renault / 2024

Renault partnered with the French Public Employment Service to provide new employees with a free car for the duration of their three-month job trial period and only start to pay for it once their job is secured. In the first year, 6000 cars were made available.

RENAULT - CARS TO WORK | RENAULT | PUBLICIS CONSEIL, PARIS | GRAND PRIX, CREATIVE COMMERCE LIONS | 2024

Why the work won

The 2024 Creative Commerce Jury awarded this work the Grand Prix for its groundbreaking and creative approach to customer acquisition, recognising how the campaign resonated with audiences by addressing a meaningful social issue. Jury member Misch Fletcher highlighted the dual impact of this work, noting, “It tapped into a genuine social need, but not just to be altruistic because it did actually move the needle on their business by bringing new customers to their brand.” This work stood out because it skillfully combined purpose with performance, showing that a brand can make a positive social impact while driving tangible business results. By addressing both social needs and commercial objectives, this work set a high standard for how brands can enhance customer acquisition through purpose-driven strategies that do more than just raise awareness—they create lasting value for both the community and the business.

RENAULT - CARS TO WORK | RENAULT | PUBLICIS CONSEIL, PARIS | GRAND PRIX, CREATIVE COMMERCE LIONS | 2024

Inside the Jury Room: Creative Commerce Lions

To hear more from the Jury and how they decided on the winning work, check out the video below.

Entries & Judging

What are the judging criteria?

A number of criteria will be considered during judging, weighted as follows: 30% idea; 20% strategy; 20% execution; 30% results.

What do I need to provide with my entry?

To enter, you’ll need to complete an online entry form, which can be found on the Cannes Lions entry site. In the ‘Written Explanation’ section, you’ll be asked to provide the Jury with everything they need to know about your work.

You’ll also be able to submit optional supporting materials to provide additional context with your entry.

All case films, films, demo films and original content must be subtitled in English.

Detailed information outlining the entry process can be found on A Guide to the Cannes Lions Awards.

What if I don’t have all the details right away?

Don’t worry – you can fill in the form in any order and save your progress at any time while it’s still in the pending stage. However, please only check out when your entry is 100% complete as no changes can be made to your entry once you’ve clicked “Submit” and “Checkout”.

The Written Submission

Here’s the questions you’ll be asked regarding your work.

To start your entry to the Creative Commerce Lions, go to our Awards page.

The Jury will refer to the written explanation you provide throughout the judging process. Our advice is to provide as much relevant detail as possible.

When answering the following questions keep the main element you’re trying to celebrate in mind (e.g. the storytelling, the strategy, the craft, the use of data).

The bullet points under each question are prompts designed to guide your thinking, based on the factors the jury will be considering when reviewing your work. You might not need to use them all, and that’s totally fine. They’re there to help you consider what’s most important in your work.

Questions

Category-Specific Questions

SAMSUNG THE ART OF HACK | SAMSUNG | CHEIL WORLDWIDE, MADRID | BRONZE, CREATIVE COMMERCE LIONS | 2024

Contact us

Everything you need to know to enter

For more detailed information on how to use the entry site, craft a compelling submission or submit your work we have a whole range of resources.

From Entry Guides that give you a step-by-step overview of the entire process to the Entry Kits that provide all the detailed rules and requirements for each and every category.

Information and advice on how to enter

We are here to help

As Awards Experts, we know the Lions inside out. We can help with:

  • Sharing the updates to the Awards for 2025
  • Offering best-practice advice on how to craft a compelling entry
  • Discussing your work and relevant categories
  • Scheduling regular catch-ups to answer any questions that arise throughout the entry process.

Whether you have a specific query or would like expert advice, get in touch today.

Email: awards@canneslions.com Helpline: +44 0 20 7046 1155