Shantanu Narayen, Chair and CEO of Adobe, has been named the first-ever recipient of the ‘Creative Champion of the Year’ award by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This newly introduced honour celebrates individuals and organisations that have made a lasting and meaningful impact by equipping creative professionals with the tools they need to fully express themselves.
Commenting on the accolade, Philip Thomas, Chair of Lions, said, “While human imagination knows no bounds, bringing visionary ideas to life requires partners who offer cutting-edge technologies, innovative tools, and courageous collaborations. This new award recognises those who not only innovate but deeply understand and support the needs of creative people, helping to advance the creative agenda across industries and around the world.”
Under Narayen’s leadership, Adobe has consistently worked to democratise creativity, making it more accessible across various fields. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital experience category, blending marketing’s art and science. Currently, he is leading Adobe’s AI vision, driving innovations that transform creativity, productivity, and customer experience.
Thomas added, “When considering who should receive this inaugural recognition, Shantanu’s leadership at Adobe stood out. Adobe has revolutionised the way the world engages with creative expression, and Shantanu’s vision and commitment to nurturing creativity in all its forms have empowered millions to dream, create, and accomplish beyond their expectations. We are thrilled to present him with this honour.”
Narayen has been recognised globally as one of the most influential business leaders, featuring on Barron’s World’s Best CEOs and Fortune’s Businessperson of the Year lists, and earning a Top CEO title from Glassdoor based on employee feedback. He is also a recipient of India’s Padma Shri and The Economic Times’ Global Indian of the Year award.
Reacting to the honour, Narayen shared, “It’s truly a privilege to be recognised by an organisation that has championed creative excellence in advertising and marketing for over 70 years. This award reflects the incredible work of the Adobe team, whose passion, innovation, and commitment have helped us build breakthrough technologies that open new doors for people everywhere to bring their creativity to life.”
The award will be presented to Narayen during the Cannes Lions awards ceremony on Tuesday, 17 June. He will also deliver a keynote on the Lumière Theatre stage the following day, Wednesday, 18 June.
