Cannes Lions 2024: Strategies for Global Good

Vaseline launched a body lotion to curb the effects of the transition period on the skin. The lotion, developed by working closely with trans women in Thailand for two years, won the Grand Prix in Glass: The Lion for Change. Jury President Cindy Gallop, Founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn, described it as a “demonstration of how driving social change is good business”. She added: “It made customers feel seen, represented and included, representing a holistic approach to gender equality at its finest.”

Grand Prix for Good winner Reporters Without Borders revisited the inaugural speeches of modern autocrats, juxtaposing their hopeful words with the harsh realities they went on to impose. “These films skillfully combine simplicity and creativity to leave a lasting impact on the viewer,” said Jury President Debbi Vandeven, Global Chief Creative Officer at VML. “In today’s age, the preservation of free speech for generations to come is crucial.”

The Sustainable Development Goals Lions Grand Prix went to Renault, which offered temporary cars to job seekers where public transport was lacking. “By helping people, Renault ends up selling cars and transforms consumers into loyal believers of the brand,” said Jury President Gustavo Lauria, Co-Founder, President and Chief Creative Officer, We Believers. “It’s a great example of a brave brand that cares, takes risks and gets results.”

To prove that women are better for business, investment app DEGIRO created Pink Chip: a data set that tracks the performance of women-led companies and measures it against global benchmarks. Winner of a Gold in the Sustainable Development Goals Lions and Glass: The Lion For Change, it attracted 70,000 visitors within its first week and helped featured companies increase their stock price by 6.7%. It demonstrates how to use data to reframe a moral decision as a financial one.

Gold Sustainable Development Goals Lion winner ‘Filter Caps’ offered water purification through a bottle cap. Relying on natural substances, the 3D-printed caps have provided more than 10,000 people in Colombia with safe drinking water and recovered 300,000 litres for consumption each year. The work demonstrates how analogue solutions can often be more suited to the accessibility needs of a specific group.