Mumbai: Carat, dentsu’s global media network, has been named Media Network of the Year at Cannes Lions 2026, securing one of the advertising industry’s most prestigious recognitions following a strong performance at this year’s Media Lions awards.
Carat earned the title through a standout showing at the festival, securing:
- 3 Gold Lions
- 1 Silver Lion
- 2 Bronze Lions
- 3 Shortlists
The recognition highlights Carat’s ability to combine creativity, media intelligence and technology to create impactful brand experiences at scale. Operating across more than 100 countries with a network of 12,000 specialists, Carat continues to focus on connecting brands and audiences through media strategies rooted in human understanding.
The award also underscores the strength of Carat’s client collaborations and campaign execution. Among the standout winning campaigns were Could Have Been a Heineken, which secured two Gold Lions, and Dark Mode Ads for Plenitude, which also won Gold.
Commenting on the achievement, Will Swayne, Global Practice President – Media & Integrated Solutions, dentsu, said, “This recognition is powerful validation of what Carat does best – bringing together creativity, data and technology to deliver the most impactful outcomes for clients. 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.
At a time when our industry is being 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. I’m incredibly proud and grateful to our teams and our clients around the world. This award belongs to all of them.”
