Unilever has been declared the 2024 Creative Marketer of the Year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, an honorary recognition off the back of hundreds of Lions award wins since 2010.

The prestigious award recognises marketers that have consistently produced iconic, Lion-winning work over a sustained period. Unilever, last honoured as Creative Marketer of the Year in 2010, has since amassed hundreds of Lions.

Among the notable accolades was in 2023 when Dove, Unilever’s largest brand, clinched the Media Lions Grand Prix for its '#TurnYourBack' campaign by Ogilvy, London / DAVID, Madrid. Dove's inclusive beauty mission, first launched through its 2004 'Real Beauty' campaign, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The €6bn brand continues to champion real-world change for DEI, including the introduction of the CROWN Act in the US, which makes race-based hair discrimination illegal.

Unilever said its Hellmann’s brand also continues to make cultural waves through its 'Make Taste, Not Waste' creative platform, highlighting its mission to help people tackle food waste in the kitchen.

Unilever attributed its success to its marketing philosophy, 'Get on the Frontline', and its Creative Excellence programme focus on effectiveness education, increasing creative ambition, nurturing creative talent, and eliminating barriers to creativity.

The Creative Marketer of the Year award was introduced in 1992, with past recipients including AB InBev, Apple, Burger King, Coca-Cola, Google, Heineken, IKEA, Mars, McDonald's, Samsung, and Microsoft.

Lions CEO, Simon Cook, praised Unilever's commitment to creative excellence and for consistently delivering work that raises the bar for creative excellence across the global creative communications industry.

"Unilever is pushing the creative boundaries consistently and continuously across a wide range of brands from different markets, in collaboration with a breadth of agency partners, demonstrating a clear understanding and commitment to the power of creativity as a driver for progress and growth. Congratulations on this much deserved win," he said.

Unilever Chief Growth and Marketing Officer Esi Eggleston Bracey, expressed gratitude for the recognition.

"Our commitment to bold, brave, and more creative marketing is unwavering. Creativity that starts with inspiration, connects to commerce at every moment and resonates with people to build desirable and unmissably superior brands. It is a huge honour to accept this award on behalf of our exceptional team that truly grasps the power of human connection to serve people and grow our brands," she said.

Eggleston Bracey will deliver the opening keynote during Cannes Lions and will accept the award on behalf of Unilever at the final Awards Show of the Festival on Friday, 21 June.