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Outdoor Lions

The Outdoor Lions celebrate creativity experienced out of home.

Introduction

The history of the Outdoor Lions

First introduced in 2006, the Outdoor Lions celebrate excellence in outdoor advertising, recognising creative work that engages audiences through billboards, posters, transit ads, and other forms of out-of-home media.

Over the years, as the media landscape evolved, so too did the Outdoor Lions, embracing not only traditional static formats but also digital, interactive, and experiential outdoor advertising. It has consistently highlighted the importance of creativity and craftsmanship in capturing attention in public spaces, where advertising must compete for visibility and impact.

Today, the Outdoor Lions continue to reward groundbreaking ideas that push the boundaries of outdoor advertising, whether through the use of new technologies, integrated campaigns or clever, disruptive messaging that resonates with audiences in meaningful ways.

What kind of work can be entered?

A wide range of outdoor advertising formats that engage audiences in innovative and impactful ways.

These may include but are not limited to static and digital billboards, print posters, and interactive screens that capture attention with visually striking designs and dynamic content. Animated screens and dynamic displays that offer the opportunity for more fluid, real-time messaging, pop-up shops and adaptations of outdoor spaces which transform physical environments into branded experiences.

Street furniture and large-scale signage, such as banners and murals, integrate seamlessly into the urban landscape, turning everyday structures into powerful advertising touchpoints. Live advertising and events further immerse consumers, creating memorable, real-world interactions.

What’s the Jury looking for?

Ideas that engage in the field.

Work that demonstrates exceptional creativity, innovation, and effectiveness in engaging audiences through outdoor advertising, standing out in crowded public spaces and using the medium in unique and impactful ways.

The work should show how it has made the most of the outdoor environment, transforming public spaces into memorable brand experiences.

HEINEKEN HEIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT | HEINEKEN MALAYSIA BERHAD | LEO BURNETT, KUALA LUMPUR | BRONZE, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2024

The Categories

A. Billboards: Sectors

Classic two-dimensional sheet and static digital billboards made for standard billboard spaces. This may include, but is not limited to, roadsides, highways and transit sides.

B. Posters: Sectors

Classic sheet and static digital posters made for public spaces. e.g. supermarkets, shopping malls, airports.

C. Ambient & Experiential

All standard, non-standard and free-format out-of-home work that leverages the use of public spaces, objects and environments. For static digital billboards/posters please enter A. Billboards: Sectors or B. Posters: Sectors.

D. Innovation in Outdoor

The creative and/or innovative use of an out-of-home medium to communicate the brand’s message.

E. Culture & Context

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

If you're submitting more than one execution please upload all executions in a single digital presentation image.

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?

There is no overall limit to how many times the same piece of work can be entered into Outdoor as long as the categories chosen are relevant.

Exceptions:

  • The same piece of work may only be entered once in ‘A. Billboards: Sectors’ and/or ‘B. Posters: Sectors’.
  • In sections A and B, each execution constitutes one entry and all executions must have run within the eligibility period.
  • In Sections C, D and E, multiple executions may be entered as one entry. However, all Outdoor executions must have run within the eligibility period.

THE MINEFIELDS HONEY PROJECT | MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, KERNEL | SAATCHI & SAATCHI UKRAINE, KYIV | BRONZE, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2024

Previous Winners

The Outdoor Jury can award two Grands Prix. One Grand Prix from Section A: Billboards or B: Posters and One Grand Prix from the remaining sections.

Adoptable. By Pedigree

Cannes Lions 2024 Grand Prix Colenso BBDO, Auckland / Pedigree / 2024

The Outdoor Jury can award two Grands Prix. One Grand Prix from Section A: Billboards or B: Posters and One Grand Prix from the remaining sections.

To increase adoption rates, pet food brand Pedigree created an AI-powered model that allowed any shelter dog to star in its out-of-home ads. Fifty per cent of the featured dogs were adopted in the first two weeks, and shelter sit visits increased 6✕.

ADOPTABLE. BY PEDIGREE | PEDIGREE | COLENSO BBDO, AUCKLAND | GRAND PRIX, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2024

Why the work won

The Outdoor Jury awarded this work the Grand Prix for its brand relevance and innovative use of artificial intelligence.

Jury President Marco Venturelli praised the work for demonstrating that AI and technology are not here to replace human creativity but to enhance it. He noted, "AI is used to do something that we simply could not have done without it," highlighting how the campaign utilised AI to create an outdoor experience that was truly unique.

The use of AI in this outdoor context allowed for dynamic, personalised interactions that captured the attention of passersby in a way traditional outdoor advertising could not. By integrating AI into large-scale outdoor displays or installations, the campaign turned public spaces into interactive, real-time experiences that resonated deeply with audiences.

ADOPTABLE. BY PEDIGREE | PEDIGREE | COLENSO BBDO, AUCKLAND | GRAND PRIX, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2024

Find Your Summer

Cannes Lions 2024 Grand Prix LOLA MullenLowe, Madrid / Magnum / 2024

To increase sales during the winter months, Magnum created digital billboards that guided people towards the closest sunny spot. It helped Magnum achieve its best January sales in history, with a 38.9% value sales uplift.

YOUR SUMMER: STAIRS | MAGNUM | LOLA MULLENLOWE, MADRID | GRAND PRIX CAMPAIGN, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2024

Why the work won

The Outdoor Jury awarded this work the Grand Prix for its elegant craftsmanship, enhanced by its clever use of data and technology. Jury President Marco Venturelli said: “This shows how a beautifully crafted picture and perfectly formulated wording can still make us crazy jealous.”

FIND YOUR SUMMER: CORNER | MAGNUM | LOLA MULLENLOWE, MADRID | GRAND PRIX CAMPAIGN, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2024

FIND YOUR SUMMER: DOORSTEP | MAGNUM | LOLA MULLENLOWE, MADRID | GRAND PRIX CAMPAIGN, OUTDOOR LIONS | 2024

Inside the Jury Room: Outdoor 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?

The main criteria considered during judging will be the idea, the execution and the impact.

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 Outdoor 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

THE F***ING CAR | NETFLIX | MONKS, AMSTERDAM | SILVER, OUTDOOR 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