dentsu media network Carat has been named Media Network of the Year at Cannes Lions 2026, following a strong performance across the Media Lions.
The network secured three Gold Lions, one Silver Lion, two Bronze Lions and three shortlists at this year’s festival.
The annual Media Network of the Year award is determined by points accrued from shortlisted and awarded entries in the Media Lions, where companies are credited in the Media Placement role.
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Carat’s winning work
Carat’s Gold Lion-winning campaigns included Heineken’s Could Have Been a Heineken, credited to Red Star Brazil with creative agency LePub Italy, which won in Social Behavior and Use of Mobile.
Carat Italy also won Gold for Plenitude’s Dark Mode Ads in Market Disruption, with LePub Italy credited as creative agency.
The network’s Silver Lion came from Carat UAE for Arla Foods’ Puck campaign Recipe for Change, created with FP7 McCann, in Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility.
Bronze Lions were awarded to Carat Italy for Dark Mode Ads in Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility, and Carat UAE for Recipe for Change in Co-Creation of Branded IP.
Recognition for global media work
Will Swayne, Global Practice President, Media & Integrated Solutions at dentsu, said the recognition reflected Carat’s focus on using creativity, data and technology to solve client challenges.
“This recognition is a powerful validation of what Carat does best – bringing together creativity, data and technology to deliver the most impactful outcomes for clients,” Swayne said.
“Behind each shortlist, and every Lions award won this year, is a client challenge, a team obsessed with solving it, and work designed to make a difference.”
Swayne said the award also carried significance as the media industry continues to be reshaped by AI, algorithms and fragmented attention.
“Being named Media Network of the Year is evidence of what’s possible when exceptional talent, deep human understanding, market-leading agentic capabilities and trusted partnerships come together,” he said.
“I’m incredibly proud and grateful to our teams and our clients around the world. This award belongs to all of them.”
Carat operates with more than 12,000 specialists across more than 100 countries and is part of dentsu.