The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced Unilever as the 2024 'creative marketer of the year'. The accolade is presented to a marketer that has amassed a body of Lion-winning work over a sustained period of time.

AB InBev bagged this accolade last year.

Unilever was last honoured as 'creative marketer of the year in 2010'. 

In 2023, Unilever’s Dove, was awarded the Grand Prix in the 'Media Lions' category for its ‘#TurnYourBack’ campaign by Ogilvy, London / DAVID, Madrid. Dove's inclusive beauty mission was rolled out in 2004 through 'real beauty'. The campaign celebrates 20 years this year. 

Simon Cook, CEO, Lions, said, “This award is about recognising and celebrating those brands that are consistently delivering work that raises the bar for creative excellence across the global creative communications industry. Unilever is pushing the creative boundaries consistently and continuously across a wide range of brands from different markets, in collaboration with a breadth of agency partners, demonstrating a clear understanding and commitment to the power of creativity as a driver for progress and growth. Congratulations on this much deserved win.”

Esi Eggleston Bracey, chief growth and marketing officer, Unilever, said, “Thank you, Cannes Lions, for recognising our brand leaders and agency partners who are always pushing creative boundaries. Our commitment to bold, brave, and more creative marketing is unwavering. Creativity that starts with inspiration, connects to commerce at every moment and resonates with people to build desirable and unmissably superior brands. It is a huge honour to accept this award on behalf of our exceptional team that truly grasps the power of human connection to serve people and grow our brands.”

Bracey will collect this award on behalf of Unilever at the final awards show of the festival on 21 June.

The creative marketer of the year award was introduced in 1992.