JIM STENGEL NAMED FIRST LIONS LAUREATE FOR MARKETING AT CANNES LIONS

Cannes Lions has honoured Jim Stengel, former Procter & Gamble Global Marketing Officer, as the inaugural Lions Laureate for Marketing. Recognising his decades-long influence, leadership, and mentorship, the award highlights Stengel’s role in advancing creative marketing as a driver of business growth and shaping generations of marketers worldwide.

Cannes Lions has introduced a new distinction in 2026, the Lions Laureate for Marketing, to celebrate individuals whose vision and leadership have left an enduring mark on the industry. Jim Stengel, widely regarded as one of the most influential marketing leaders of his generation, has been chosen as the first recipient. His career spans more than three decades, including seven years as Global Marketing Officer at Procter & Gamble, where he helped shape modern marketing leadership and championed creativity as a force for business growth.  

Stengel’s impact on Cannes Lions itself is notable. In 2003, he brought the first major client-side marketing delegation to the festival, accelerating its transformation into a global meeting place for marketers, brand builders, and business leaders. His efforts helped position Cannes Lions not just as a celebration of advertising creativity but as a forum for broader marketing and brand strategy discussions.  

Beyond his corporate achievements, Stengel has devoted much of the past two decades to nurturing the next generation of marketing leaders. He served as Dean of the inaugural Cannes Lions Creative Academy for Marketers in 2011 and went on to establish the CMO Accelerator Programme in 2013, which continues to develop senior marketing talent worldwide. His teaching, writing, and mentorship have influenced countless careers, embedding the belief that creativity is central to growth and positive impact.  

Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, emphasised the breadth of Stengel’s influence: “Jim’s impact extends far beyond the organisations he has led. Through his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering belief in the power of creative marketing, he has shaped the thinking and careers of marketers across generations. His contribution is both profound and enduring, not only through the brands and businesses he has helped build, but through the leaders he has inspired and developed along the way.”  

Stengel himself expressed humility and gratitude upon receiving the honour. “I am deeply honoured. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to learn from extraordinary colleagues, partners, and friends, and this recognition is really a reflection of those relationships. I have always believed that creativity is one of the most powerful forces for growth in business and positive impact in the world. If I have contributed anything along the way, I hope it has been encouraging marketers to think a little bigger about the role they can play, the value they can create, and the difference they can make.”  

The award will be formally presented during the Cannes Lions Awards Show on 25 June, following Stengel’s delivery of the inaugural Lions Laureate Seminar at the Debussy Theatre earlier that day. His recognition as the first Lions Laureate underscores the festival’s commitment to elevating marketing as a discipline that blends creativity, business acumen, and leadership. It also signals a new era in which the contributions of client-side marketers are celebrated alongside agencies and creatives, reflecting the evolving dynamics of the industry.