In 2025, Cannes Lions was dampened by controversy after three awards were withdrawn over fabrication of case studies and concerns around their legitimacy.

DM9’s “Efficient way to pay” was retracted after the DDB agency was caught using AI to fabricate news coverage and misleading the jury. Two others Lions were also removed from the agency. In response, Cannes Lions updated the entry process and introduced a set of "integrity standards" to ban agencies for up to three years that submit "wilfully false" campaigns.

Campaign's UK editor Maisie McCabe recently spoke to Cannes Lions on the new awards process and "necessary" reset to the standards. In this episode, Campaign's editorial team discuss how the awards will be different this year, both for those that have entered and the juries that are judging them, and what the industry makes of the changes. Plus, the team reveal how the Cannes Lions is making efforts to reduce bias in the judging rooms.

Hosted by tech and multimedia editor Lucy Shelley, this episode includes McCabe, creativity and culture editor Gurjit Degun and reporter Eszter Gurbicz. It was edited by Haymarket's producer Inga Marsden.

Further reading:

Cannes Lions retires Creative Company of the Year Award

Decade-old Sainsbury’s ad used in Gut’s 2024 Media Grand Prix-winning case study

Cannes Lions entries rise 'reflecting strong global participation'

Icaro Doria steps down as co-president and CCO of DM9 following Cannes controversy

Adland’s ‘New Year's’ resolution should be to revive its integrity at Cannes Lions

Maybe Cannes Lions isn't capable of picking all of the best work

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