Yes, we know Cannes is over… but we’re not quite done talking about it. Here’s your full roundup of the week: the complete winners table, the work, and the companies that brought it home. You’ve inspired us all and reminded the world (and ourselves) what South Africans are capable of.
As the curtains close on Cannes Lions 2025, Pete Case, CEO and Creative Chairman of Ogilvy South Africa, shares a final day full of reflection. From his time judging Creative Strategy to stepping on stage for Titanium, Pete wraps the week with insights on the power of creativity, a toast to South Africa’s wins, and a reminder that what we do, and who we do it with, really matters.
Okay, so Carl Willoughby may have technically written about more than just Day 5, but when the reflections hit this deep, we’ll allow it. As CCO of TBWA\Hunt Lascaris South Africa, Chairman of the Creative Circle and a first-time Cannes juror, Carl captures the full emotional arc of the festival: from intense jury rooms to late-night inspiration, powerful panels, and South African pride - all wrapped in the beautiful messiness of being human in this industry.
Cannes Lions 2025 is a wrap and what a special year it was for South Africa. This page has been your live hub for everything SA at Cannes, proudly in partnership with LITTLEBIG. From shortlist excitement to big-stage wins, this year SA did us proud! The work, the energy, the people (especially the people!)… South Africa showed up with heart and an undeniable presence. Scroll back to relive the magic, and thank you to everyone who flew the flag loudly and proudly on the global stage.
Through quick quips, overheard truths, and notes from boardroom meetings, Gillian Rightford captures the contradictions of Cannes like only she can. As Executive Director of the ACA - now Africa’s first member of VoxComm, the global body of advertising associations - and a newly appointed member of the Effie Global Council, Gillian’s Day 4 reflections remind us that the business of creativity is as complex, messy, and fun as ever.
It’s Day 4, and Steph van Niekerk is serving 25,000 steps. As Executive Creative Director at TBWA\ Hunt Lascaris, Steph reflects on what really matters at Cannes: from Droga’s wisdom to Shonda’s brilliance, to the pride she feels for her fellow South Africans. Spoiler: she loves us, and boy, do we love her!
From paying her own way to Cannes to now judging one of the festival’s most prestigious categories, Andrea Quaye, Marketing Director at Heineken Beverages, brings a sharp perspective and love for the craft. On Day 3, she takes us inside her more intentional approach to the week filled with meaningful connections and a reminder that, yes, Club Duvet by 10pm is a real Cannes flex.
Today’s diary comes from Mpume Ngobese, Co-Managing Director of Joe Public and proud first-time Cannes attendee. Wide-eyed, curious, and taking notes like a pro, Mpume shares her Day 3 highlights, and it’s a fresh, fired-up take from someone soaking up every moment of the festival. Cannes virgin no more!
For Day 2, we hear from Koketso Masisi, Creative Director at Retroviral, whose reflections cut through the noise with warmth and insight. From the power of women-led innovation and standout Outdoor Lions work, to meaningful moments with fellow South Africans, Koketso captures the rhythm of Cannes with a clear reminder to stay grounded, stay curious, and show up with intention.
Day 2 of Cannes Lions and we soak in the elegance of Cannes through the eyes of Koo Govender. From early morning rituals on a quiet beach to fine dining at JAN in Nice, the CEO of Publicis Groupe Africa gives us a grounded, generous look behind the Cannes rush.
Every day this week, we’ve asked one or two brilliant South Africans at Cannes to report back from the frontlines of Cannes Lions. First up, it's Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank, who’s kicking off our coverage with a high-energy run and some even higher creative takeouts.
Every day this week, we’re handing the mic to a different South African at Cannes Lions 2025. We’ve asked them to capture one day, however they experienced it, in their own words. First up is Day 1 with none other than Mike Abel, Founder & Executive Chairman M&C Saatchi Abel & Group SA, here to give us a taste of his first day of Cannes, South African style.
It’s day one of Cannes, and while the rosé is chilling and the Croisette is filling up fast, South Africa’s Cannes Lions judges have already been hard at work. Every year, a select group of our industry leaders are invited to represent the country at the highest level of creative judgment. Whether they’re deep in shortlist sessions or seated on the Grand Prix jury, these are the people helping shape the global creative benchmark. Let’s raise a glass (and maybe our lanyards) to the brilliant minds doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Cannes Lions 2025 is almost here, and before these four industry heavyweights jet off, we had questions. Four, to be exact. So we threw them at Spotify Africa’s Head of Marketing Star Kachisa, Spitfire’s Liesl Lategan Kyriakou, Carbon Films’ Bruno Bossi, and LoveSong’s Suhana Gordhan to find out what they’re expecting from this year’s festival; from the trends they’re tracking to the ideas they’re backing.
As part of this year’s Cannes Lions build-up, we’re celebrating a powerful initiative that’s all about access and representation. Open Chair, the platform founded by industry powerhouse Suhana Gordhan to uplift and connect women across the creative industry, successfully secured 15 passes for South African women through the festival’s global ERA Programme (Equity, Representation, and Accessibility).
Last week we hosted our first-ever IDIDTHAT Cannes Predictions Night, bringing together agency creatives to celebrate South Africa's work entered into Cannes 2025. It was a night full of love, laughter, wristbands and world-class craft.
As the countdown to Cannes kicks off, the official IDIDTHAT.co Cannes Predictions are here! This is the South African work handpicked by our panel of judges as the strongest contenders to roar on the global stage. We asked them to view the work entered by South Africa into Cannes this year and choose the pieces they believe will turn heads in France. A massive shoutout to our judges Fran Luckin, Sbu Sitole, Roland Sweet, Danni Pinch, and Safaraaz Sindhi. Thank you for being absolute gold as always!
South African creativity, your champions have arrived. Each year, we ask a panel of industry greats to review the SA work entered into Cannes Lions and select the pieces they believe could turn heads on the global stage. We’re proud to introduce our 2025 IDIDTHAT Cannes Predictions judges.
The IDIDTHAT x LITTLEBIG Cannes coverage collab returns, and we couldn’t be prouder. Thanks to our partners at LITTLEBIG, we’re once again able to back South African creativity loudly and proudly. Follow us as we spotlight the work, the talent, and the gees that make our industry world-class.