Live Updates: South Africa’s Shortlists and Winners at Cannes 2025
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.
South Africa’s Cannes Lions Winners 2025
Winners will be announced every night from the 16th to the 20th of June 2025. Follow all the results as they’re announced live from Cannes, and give us a follow on IDIDTHAT’s Instagram. Check in here for all the updated results and links to view the work.
AWARDS NIGHT 1 (Mon, 16 June 2025)
Audio & Radio
BRONZE LION (Bronze Lion Campaign) (Script): HANSA PILSENER ‘WHAT’S GUCCI?’ – JOE PUBLIC UNITED, Johannesburg
(Script) HANSA PILSENER ‘OKRRR’ – JOE PUBLIC UNITED, Johannesburg
(Script) HANSA PILSENER ‘SPILL THE TEA’ – JOE PUBLIC UNITED, Johannesburg
Health & Wellness
GRAND PRIX (OTC Applications): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
Outdoor Lions
SHORTLIST (Special Build): HEINEKEN ‘HEINEKEN SOCIAL SCREENS’ – LEPUB Johannesburg / LEPUB Milan / DARLING FLING Johannesburg
Print & Publishing
SHORTLIST (Consumer Services/Business to Business): NEDBANK ‘START SMOKING’ – JOE PUBLIC UNITED, Johannesburg
Pharma
No Winners for South Africa
AWARDS NIGHT 2 (Tues, 17 June 2025)
Design
No Winners for South Africa
Digital Craft
No Winners for South Africa
Entertainment
No Winners for South Africa
Entertainment Lions For Gaming
No Winners for South Africa
Entertainment Lions For Music
No Winners for South Africa
Entertainment Lions For Sport
No Winners for South Africa
Film Craft
No Winners for South Africa
Industry Craft
No Winners for South Africa
AWARDS NIGHT 3 (Wed, 18 June 2025)
Creative B2B
No Winners for South Africa
Creative Data
SHORTLIST (Market Disruption): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
Direct
SILVER LION (Co-Creation & User Generated Content): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST: (Use of Social Platforms): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST (Consumer Goods): SAVANNA ‘#TRYJANUARY’ – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris / Darling Films / Dolph / Post Modern
SHORTLIST (Use of Humour): HEINEKEN BEVERAGES – WINDHOEK BEER ‘THE BEER ADS WITHOUT BEER’ – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris / Giant Films / Chocolate Tribe / Pressure Cooker / Sterling Sound
Media
GOLD LION (Healthcare): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SILVER LION (Audience Insights): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SILVER LION (Co-Creation of Branded IP): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
SHORTLIST (Use of Outdoor): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
SHORTLIST (Audience Insights): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
PR
SILVER LION (Community Management): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
BRONZE LION (Social Engagement): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST (Content Creation & Production): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST (Innovative Use of Influencers / Creators): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST (Brand Voice & Strategic Storytelling): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
SHORTLIST (Use of Events & Stunts): GUN FREE SA ‘BULLETPROOF PARK’ – M&C SAATCHI ABEL
Social & Creator
GRAND PRIX (Community Building): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SILVER LION (Healthcare): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST (Audience Targeting/Engagement Strategies): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST (Innovative Engagement of Community): UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
AWARDS NIGHT 4 (Thurs, 19 June 2025)
Brand Experience & Activation
BRONZE LION (Social Behaviour): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
SHORTLIST (Consumer Goods): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
SHORTLIST (Customer Retailer/In-Store Experience): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
SHORTLIST (Customer Acquisition & Retention): COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
SHORTLIST (Single Market Campaign): TUSKER LAGER ‘STITCHED WITH CHEER’ – DENTSU CREATIVE, Nairobi / DENTSU CREATIVE, Cape Town
Creative Effectiveness
GOLD LION (Launch): XBOX ‘THE EVERYDAY TACTICIAN: HOW GETTING A FOOTBALL CLUB PROMOTED HELPED XBOX TAKE A STEP CLOSER TO THE FUTURE OF GAMING’ – McCANN, London / BROMLEY FC / CLOCKWORK Johannesburg
BRONZE LION (Collaboration): XBOX ‘THE EVERYDAY TACTICIAN: HOW GETTING A FOOTBALL CLUB PROMOTED HELPED XBOX TAKE A STEP CLOSER TO THE FUTURE OF GAMING’ – McCANN, London / BROMLEY FC / CLOCKWORK Johannesburg
SHORTLIST (Travel, Leisure, Retail, Restaurants & Fast Food Chains): XBOX ‘THE EVERYDAY TACTICIAN: HOW GETTING A FOOTBALL CLUB PROMOTED HELPED XBOX TAKE A STEP CLOSER TO THE FUTURE OF GAMING’ – McCANN, London / BROMLEY FC / CLOCKWORK Johannesburg
SHORTLIST (Single Market): XBOX ‘THE EVERYDAY TACTICIAN: HOW GETTING A FOOTBALL CLUB PROMOTED HELPED XBOX TAKE A STEP CLOSER TO THE FUTURE OF GAMING’ – McCANN, London / BROMLEY FC / CLOCKWORK Johannesburg
SHORTLIST (Multi-Market): CORONA ‘EXTRA LIME: THE COMPANY’ – DAVID, Bogota / DRAFTLINE, Shanghai / BOUNDLESS, Johannesburg
Creative Business Transformation
No Winners for South Africa
Creative Commerce
No Winners for South Africa
Creative Strategy
No Winners for South Africa
Innovation
No Winners for South Africa
Luxury
No Winners for South Africa
AWARDS NIGHT 5 (Fri, 20 June 2025)
The Dan Wieden Titanium Lions
TITANIUM LION: UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’ – OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
Film
GOLD LION (Travel, Leisure, Retail, Restaurants & Fast Food Chains): KFC THAILAND ‘LET THERE BE CAKE’ – BANANAS / BRAINS & BRAWN, Bangkok / Carbon Films & TA PROD Bangkok / Howard Audio
SHORTLIST (Travel, Leisure, Retail, Restaurants & Fast Food Chains): CHICKEN LICKEN ‘MAKE YOUR FAMILY PROUD’ – Joe Public / Plank Films / Pressure Cooker / Strangelove
SHORTLIST (Local Brand): NEDBANK ‘THE SIGNWRITER’ – Joe Public / Darling Films / Post Modern / Sterling Sound / Marc Algranti
Sustainable Development Goals
SHORTLIST (Good Health & Wellbeing): VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH AFRICA ‘THE LIFE-SAVING NIGHT SCHOOL PLATFORM’ – OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA / Run Jump Fly
Glass: The Lion For Change
No Winners for South Africa
South Africa’s Cannes Lions Shortlists 2025
IDIDTHAT will be the first to bring you the Cannes Lions shortlists for South Africa as they are announced from the 16th – 20th of June 2025. Not only will we list those involved in creating the magic, we’ll also be showcasing the actual work that’s being recognised globally and link it back to the IDIDTHAT companies behind the work. This way, you’ll know exactly who the top creative minds to collaborate with are.
Sustainable Development Goals (Shortlist Announced Wed, 18 June)
SHORTLIST: VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH AFRICA ‘THE LIFE-SAVING NIGHT SCHOOL PLATFORM’ – OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA / Run Jump Fly
Brand Experience & Activation (Shortlist Announced Tues, 17 June)
4 x SHORTLISTS: COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
SHORTLIST: TUSKER LAGER ‘STITCHED WITH CHEER’ – DENTSU CREATIVE, Nairobi / DENTSU CREATIVE, Cape Town
Film (Shortlist Announced Tues, 17 June)
SHORTLIST: CHICKEN LICKEN ‘MAKE YOUR FAMILY PROUD’ – Joe Public / Plank Films / Pressure Cooker / Strangelove
SHORTLIST: NEDBANK ‘THE SIGNWRITER’ – Joe Public / Darling Films / Post Modern / Sterling Sound / Marc Algranti
SHORTLIST: KFC THAILAND ‘LET THERE BE CAKE’ – BANANAS / BRAINS & BRAWN, Bangkok / Carbon Films & TA PROD Bangkok / Howard Audio
Creative Effectiveness (Shortlist Announced Tues, 17 June)
SHORTLIST: CORONA ‘EXTRA LIME: THE COMPANY’ – DAVID, Bogota / DRAFTLINE, Shanghai / BOUNDLESS, Johannesburg
4 x SHORTLISTS: XBOX ‘THE EVERYDAY TACTICIAN: HOW GETTING A FOOTBALL CLUB PROMOTED HELPED XBOX TAKE A STEP CLOSER TO THE FUTURE OF GAMING’ – McCANN, London / BROMLEY FC / CLOCKWORK Johannesburg
Creative Business Transformation (Shortlist Announced Tues, 17 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Creative Commerce (Shortlist Announced Mon, 17 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Creative Strategy (Shortlist Announced Mon, 17 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Luxury (Shortlist Announced Mon, 17 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Creative Data (Shortlist Announced Mon, 16 June)
SHORTLIST: COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
Creative B2B (Shortlist Announced Mon, 16 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Design (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Digital Craft (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Direct (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
SHORTLIST: SAVANNA ‘#TRYJANUARY’ – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris / Darling Films / Dolph / Post Modern
2 x SHORTLISTS: UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’ – OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST: HEINEKEN BEVERAGES – WINDHOEK BEER ‘THE BEER ADS WITHOUT BEER’ – TBWA\Hunt Lascaris / Giant Films / Chocolate Tribe / Pressure Cooker / Sterling Sound
Entertainment Lions For Gaming (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Entertainment Lions For Sport (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Entertainment Lions For Music (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Film Craft (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Industry Craft (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Media (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
2 x SHORTLISTS: UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’– OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
3 x SHORTLISTS: COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
PR (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
4 x SHORTLISTS: UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’ – OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
SHORTLIST: GUN FREE SA ‘BULLETPROOF PARK’ – M&C SAATCHI ABEL
SHORTLIST: COCA-COLA ‘THANKS FOR COKE-CREATING’ – VML New York, Kansas City & Sao Paulo / VML (Johannesburg) / Neto + Shookan Productions
Social & Creator (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
4 x SHORTLISTS: UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’ – OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
Entertainment (Shortlist Announced Sun, 15 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Audio & Radio (Shortlist Announced Sat, 14 June)
SHORTLIST: (Script) HANSA PILSENER ‘WHAT’S GUCCI?’ – JOE PUBLIC UNITED, Johannesburg
SHORTLIST: (Script) HANSA PILSENER ‘OKRRR’ – JOE PUBLIC UNITED, Johannesburg
SHORTLIST: (Script) HANSA PILSENER ‘SPILL THE TEA’ – JOE PUBLIC UNITED, Johannesburg
Health & Wellness (Shortlist Announced Sat, 14 June)
SHORTLIST: UNILEVER ‘VASELINE VERIFIED’ – OGILVY Singapore / OGILVY SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg is credited for PR
Outdoor (Shortlist Announced Sat, 14 June)
SHORTLIST: HEINEKEN ‘HEINEKEN SOCIAL SCREENS’ – LEPUB Johannesburg / LEPUB Milan / DARLING FLING Johannesburg
Print & Publishing (Shortlist Announced Sat, 14 June)
SHORTLIST: NEDBANK ‘START SMOKING’ – JOE PUBLIC UNITED, Johannesburg
Pharma (Shortlist Announced Sat, 14 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
The Dan Wieden Titanium Lions (Shortlist Announced Tues, 03 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Innovation (Shortlist Announced Tues, 03 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Glass: The Lion For Change (Shortlist Announced Thurs, 05 June)
No shortlists for South Africa
Grand Prix for Good
- Cannes Lions Grand Prix for Good will be awarded on Friday 20 June.
- Lions Health and United Nations Grand Prix for Good will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Monday 16 June.
Special Awards
- Healthcare Agency of the Year and Healthcare Network of the Year will be announced on Monday 16 June.
- Media Network of the Year will be announced on Wednesday 18 June.
- Regional Networks of the Year will be announced on Thursday 19 June.
- All other Special Awards will be announced on Friday 20 June.
South Africa’s Cannes Coverage:
We’re sharing South Africa’s shortlists as they’re announced every day
IDIDTHAT will be announcing the South African shortlists and winners live from Cannes. Follow our live updates page during Cannes week, from June 16 to 20, to stay informed in real-time.
We’ll showcase South Africa’s winners live from the awards as they are announced
The awards run over all 5 nights during Cannes week, and we’ll be there back all the Saffas. Follow us on Facebook and Insta, subscribe to our newsletter to keep up-to-date on all South Africa’s results as they happen.
If you’re heading to Cannes this year, please let us know so we can add you to the South Africans in Cannes group to make sure you don’t miss out on our annual SA family portrait taken on the Croisette. See you on the other side Team SA!
Thanks again to our partners at LITTLEBIG for enabling us to bring you all the Cannes Lions news this year.
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES LIONS 2025 NEWS
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 5 by Pete Case
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.
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 5 by Carl Willoughby
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.
Live Updates: South Africa’s Winners & Shortlists at Cannes 2025
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.
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 4 by Gillian Rightford
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.
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 4 by Steph van Niekerk
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!
SOUTH AFRICA AT CANNES: Day 3 by Andrea Quaye
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.
