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Media Lions

The Media Lions celebrate the context of creativity.

Introduction

The history of the Media Lions

The Media Lions were established in 1999 to honour outstanding work in media strategy and planning across all forms of communication. It evolved alongside the media landscape, adapting to the changes brought about by digital transformation, the rise of new platforms and shifts in consumer behaviour.

The Media Lions recognise innovative, effective, and creative use of media to deliver brand messages and drive consumer engagement. It celebrates campaigns that not only leverage traditional media channels like TV, print, and radio but also embrace digital, social media, data-driven marketing, and new technologies. Over the years, the Award has grown to reflect the increasing complexity of media planning, where creative strategies and insights are key to delivering impactful, measurable results.

Today, the Media Lions continue to highlight the importance of media in creating meaningful connections between brands and audiences, rewarding excellence in both strategy and execution.

What kind of work can be entered?

Work may include but is not limited to campaigns that effectively utilise traditional media channels such as television, radio, and print, as well as digital and social media platforms, out-of-home advertising, and emerging media formats.

It may also include creative media strategies, effective targeting and segmentation, the integration of data-driven insights, and campaigns that leverage new technologies like mobile apps, virtual reality, or creator partnerships. Additionally, work that showcases the creative and strategic use of media to address specific challenges or drive societal change is also eligible.

What’s the Jury looking for?

The work should be media led and demonstrate an effective use of this to engage audiences in unique and impactful ways, whether through traditional channels or emerging platforms. Work that shows a deep understanding of the target audience, utilising data-driven insights, precise targeting, and smart media planning to drive measurable results.

ET LE BUUUUUD | BUDWEISER | BETC, PARIS | BRONZE, MEDIA LIONS | 2024

The categories

A. Media: Sectors

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

B. Channels

Work in these categories will be judged on media creativity and channel innovation. Work should unleash the media opportunities beyond existing formats to effectively communicate the brand message.

C. Insights & Media Strategy

Work in these categories should demonstrate how insights and data contributed to the successful placement and media execution of content used to engage with consumers. The work will be judged on how successfully it demonstrates target-audience-related engagement.

Please note that the work in these categories will not be judged on the content itself, but the role of media in creating, leveraging and amplifying the content.

D. Culture & Context

Work that is brought to life through cultural insights and regional context.

E. Excellence in Media Craft

Work that exhibits ingenuity and outstanding craftsmanship in harnessing media to deliver a brand message, change behaviour or engage consumers at scale.

The work in this section can only be submitted and paid for by Independent Media Agencies or companies owned by a Media Network or Independent Media Network. The same piece of work can be entered only once in each category within this section.

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 Media, not including section 'E: Excellence in Media Craft'.

Exceptions:

  • The same piece of work may only be entered once in ‘A. Media: Sectors’.
  • The work in Section E: Excellence in Media Craft can only be submitted and paid for by independent media agencies or companies owned by a media network or independent media network. The same piece of work can be entered only once in each category within this section.

LUX "THE END" | LUX | VML, SINGAPORE | BRONZE, MEDIA LIONS | 2024

Previous Winners

Handshake Hunt

Cannes Lions 2024 Grand Prix GUT São Paulo / Mercado Libre / 2024

E-commerce website Mercado Libre created an on-screen treasure hunt by turning TV programmes into ads. By embedding discounts directly into TV network Globo’s most-watched shows, the work achieved an 80% increase in sales.

HANDSHAKE HUNT | MERCADO LIBRE | GUT SÃO PAULO | GRAND PRIX, MEDIA LIONS | 2024

Why the work won

The Media Jury awarded this work the Grand Prix for its innovative use of audience participation, technology, and data. Jury President Prerna Mehrotra praised the work for its ability to cut through the noise and clutter typically associated with high-competition events like Black Friday, offering a fresh and effective solution that stood out in a crowded media landscape. She highlighted the campaign's clever reimagining of television – a medium that was thought to be in decline just a few years ago – demonstrating how traditional platforms can still offer tremendous value when approached creatively and with strategic insight.

The campaign’s success lay in its seamless integration of technology and data, empowering the audience to engage in a way that felt personalised and relevant, while still maintaining the broad reach and mass appeal of television.

HANDSHAKE HUNT | MERCADO LIBRE | GUT SÃO PAULO | GRAND PRIX, MEDIA LIONS | 2024

Inside the Jury Room: Media 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% insight and idea; 30% media strategy and targeting; 20% media execution; 20% impact and 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 Media 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

BMW IJACK | BMW | SERVICEPLAN MIDDLE EAST, DUBAI | BRONZE, MEDIA 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