The world’s largest brewer reclaimed the title it last won in 2022 and 2023.
AB InBev has been crowned Cannes Lions Creative Marketer of the Year after cleaning up at last year’s festival.
The accolade, which has been awarded since 1992, is presented to a marketer that has amassed a body of iconic, Lion-winning work over a sustained period of time.
Last year the maker of Budwesier, Bud Light, Corona and Stella Artois, won 37 Cannes Lions with work from 10 countries across 15 different categories, including the Audio & Radio Grand Prix for Budweiser’s ‘One Second Ads’.
Budweiser was also ranked the most effective marketer worldwide by the Effies for the fourth year in a row.
AB InBev is the first company in Cannes Lions’ history to be honoured with the award for a third time.
“AB InBev has embedded creativity into how it operates, not just how it leverages marketing, and it is consistently outperforming as a result. By prioritising creativity at a C-suite level and implementing an internal creative effectiveness system, it continues to demonstrate the clear and compelling link between creative excellence and commercial performance,” Cannes Lions chief executive Simon Cook said.
AB InBev’s creativity isn’t just winning silverware, but it’s also striking gold in a category that has struggled somewhat in recent times. Its Q1 2026 business results achieved all-time high revenues and increased beer volumes and the portfolio now has 20 $1 billion-plus brands.
“Creativity is always in service to driving growth. To be named Creative Marketer of the Year for the third time in the last five years reflects our consistent and sustainable approach to building brands people love,” AB InBev global CMO Marcel Marcondes said.
“It’s also a credit to the amazing teams and agency partners we have around the world that are delivering all-time high revenues. Cheers to everyone that helped make this history-making recognition possible.”
Next week the regions leading creatives and marketers will discuss how creativity business impact at the Cairns Crocodiles, presented by Pinterest.
The line up includes Taika Waititi, Sir Martin Sorrell, Nedd Brockmann, Paula Bloodworth, Amy Kean, Najoh Tita-Reid, Warwick Thornton, Jon Evans, David Ohana and leading marketers from the likes of IKEA, BYD, AMEX, Mecca, Coles 360, Webjet, Budget Direct, Optus, Did, Tourism NT and a host more.
Secure your last minute ticket to the Cairns Crocodiles today.
