VML Grabs Prime Position As Cannes Entertainment Agency Of The Year For Second Consecutive Year

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In rankings released Thursday, Aug. 23 by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, VML has been named Entertainment Agency of the Year for the second year in a row.

Entertainment Agency of the Year is awarded to the agency that obtains the most points for winning and shortlisted entries in the Entertainment Lions and Entertainment Lions for Music. 

Among VML's wins, "webeefin?" for Wendy's took home two Gold, one Silver and two Bronze Lions in Entertainment Lions, and "It all begins with a song" for Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation took home three Silver Lions in Entertainment and Entertainment Lions for Music. The accolades helped secure VML's position at the top for the second year running. "webeefin?" was brought to life through a creative collaboration between Six Course Inc. and VML.

The Entertainment category celebrates creativity that turns content into culture. Winners demonstrate unskippable ideas: work that captivates viewers, communicates a brand message or connects with consumers in a new way.

Ranked in the top 10 globally, in North America and in the U.S.

VML ranked in the top 3 in the Entertainment, Entertainment for Music, and Social & Influencer categories, and scored in the top 10 in Radio & Audio, Industry Craft, and Mobile categories.

Overall, VML ranked sixth in North America and was noted as one of the top 10 agencies globally.

"It is such an honor to announce that VML, together with our client partners around the world, received an unprecedented level of recognition this year at Cannes," said Debbi Vandeven, global chief creative officer. "It takes all of us working together to create work of this caliber, and it wouldn't have been possible without so many exceptional contributions."

21 Lions and 62 shortlists with work from 10 offices for 21 clients

VML was awarded three Gold Lions, including one for its work with Wendy's on "webeefin?" The team also received a Gold Lion in Radio & Audio for this work, as well as a third Gold Lion in the Social & Influencer category for "Talk Social to Me." Three Gold Lions for one client in a single year is a first for VML.

Silver Lions — 11 in all — were awarded to VML Kansas City for our work with Gatorade, Wendy's, Nashville and Tennessee Tourism; to VML New York for Lonely Whale; and a first-ever Lion to VML Brazil for work they did for Netflix along with WPP partner agencies. 

We also received seven Bronze Lions — two for VML Kansas City's work for Wendy's and three for its work with Gatorade, one for VML Brazil's work for Netflix, and VML Bogotá received its first Lion for work on the Amblyopia World Campaign. 

"I honestly couldn't be prouder of the range of places, VMLers and clients this outstanding work represents," Vandeven said. "It showcases our unique ability to connect consumers with next-level ideas — ideas that make a true impact for the brands we represent."

The annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is the world's largest and most prestigious awards show and festival for the advertising industry.

View VML's winning work at https://cannes2018.vmlconnect.com.

About VML

VML is a global marketing agency that transforms brands through a connected consumer experience. Through every touch point we create, story we tell and relationship we build, we strive to inspire meaningful connections. Our clients include Bridgestone, Colgate-Palmolive, Electrolux/Frigidaire, Ford, Gatorade, Microsoft, NAPA AUTO PARTS, New Balance, Sherwin-Williams Consumer Brands Group, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Tyson and Wendy's.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VML joined the world's largest communications services group, WPP, in 2001. We have more than 3,000 employees with principal offices in 33 locations across six continents, and are proud to have been included on Ad Age's Agency A-List in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Visit www.vml.com for more information.

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SOURCE VML