Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2025 has seen a significant shift in India’s metal table, not just in terms of wins, but in terms of who’s winning. A couple of legacy agencies have made a long-awaited comeback, while a new player has marked its arrival with a prestigious metal. The return of these names after a hiatus and the entry of new ones, signals a renewed energy and evolving creative narrative in Indian advertising.
Havas Creative India has ended its over decade-long absence from the Cannes Lions winners' list with a bang, clinching its first-ever Gold Lion. The win came in the Print & Publishing category for ‘Ink of Democracy’ created for The Times of India. The campaign transformed the iconic inked voter’s finger into a powerful creative symbol. This landmark win not only breaks a long dry spell but also marks a defining moment for the Havas network in India.
Lowe Lintas, another legacy player, made a return to the Cannes stage after six years. The agency last won a Silver in 2019 for HUL’s #HelpAChildReach5. This year, it picked up a Silver Lion in the Pharma category for ‘Daw-Ai Reader’ for Alkem Laboratories, one of only two shortlists from India in the Pharma category. In a field where India had almost vanished post-COVID, this win brings renewed attention to creative pharma storytelling.
On the other hand, Godrej Creative Lab, the in-house agency of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL), has opened its Cannes innings with a win in just its second year of existence. Led by industry veteran Swati Bhattacharya, the agency secured a Silver Lion in the Health & Wellness category for ‘Naga Saint Eye Test’ for Eyebetes Foundation.
As the festival continues, attention now turns to agencies like Wondrlab, The Womb, BBH, and Grey India. For some, a win would be their first-ever Cannes metal; for others, like Grey India (last won in 2018), it would mark a return after several years. With shortlists still live in various categories, the coming days could add more names to India’s creative revival list.
Cannes 2025 is turning out to be a year of comebacks and fresh starts. With familiar names returning and new ones making their mark, Indian advertising is rewriting its Cannes story with renewed energy.
