Australia has wrapped up 2025’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in spectacular fashion, taking home another Grand Prix and two Gold Lions in recognition of world-class creative work, as well as a Palme D’Or and Independent Agency of the Year.
FINCH claimed its second Grand Prix for Good and a Gold Lion in the Film category for ‘The Best Place in the World to Have Herpes’, a brave, category-defying campaign created for the New Zealand Herpes Foundation in partnership with Motion Sickness.
The campaign’s powerful mix of heart, humour, and national pride earned it a total of six Cannes Lions: Grand Prix for Good, Lions Health Grand Prix for Good, Gold – Health & Wellness, Gold – Film, Culture & Context, Bronze – Sustainable Development Goals, and Bronze – Entertainment, Use of Humour.
Jury President Judy John, Global Chief Creative Officer of Edelman, described the campaign as: “Brave, outrageously creative, wildly ambitious and educational, not the usual combination of words you’d associate with a Grand Prix for Good. But this campaign had it all. Its title alone says everything. Often overlooked, the idea tapped into national pride to unite a country against stigma, and did it with boldness and originality.”
Also flying the flag for Australia, Bear Meets Eagle On Fire secured Gold and Bronze Lions in Film for Telstra’s ‘Better on a Better Network’ and ‘Together is for Christmas’ campaigns created in collaboration with +61. The campaign continues to rack up accolades globally for its standout storytelling and execution.
In the same category, Droga5 part of Accenture Song won a Silver Lion for Meat & Livestock Australia’s Australian Lamb ‘The comments section’ campaign, while Clemenger Melbourne won a Bronze Lion for 7-Eleven ‘Go further’. One of two Film Grands Prix were awarded to ‘Paris Paralympics 2024: Considering What?’ by Channel 4 and 4Creative London, directed by Australian Steve Rogers through Revolver — adding an extra moment of national pride to the festival’s close.
In addition, Bear Meets Eagle On Fire was named as one of three overall Independent Agencies of the Year at the Festival and also won Independent Agency of the Year – Craft, while Revolver won a Palme D’Or. Globally, WPP was named Creative Company of the Year and DDB Worldwide won Network of the Year.
Advertising Council Australia (ACA), the peak body representing Australia’s leading advertising agencies, is the official Australian representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.