Carat has been named Media Network of the Year at Cannes Lions 2026, marking one of the most significant honours in global advertising this year.
The Dentsu-owned network earned the title on the strength of its performance in the Media Lions category, picking up three Gold Lions, one Silver Lion, two Bronze Lions, and three shortlist mentions.
The win reflects Carat’s work across global markets and its ability to bring together creativity, data, and technology to shape effective media solutions for clients. The network now operates in more than 100 countries, supported by a team of over 12,000 specialists.
Among the campaigns that contributed to the recognition were “Could Have Been a Heineken,” which picked up two Gold Lions, and “Dark Mode Ads” for Plenitude, which also won Gold.
Will Swayne, Global Practice President – Media & Integrated Solutions at Dentsu, called the recognition strong validation of what Carat does best – combining creativity, data, and technology to deliver impactful outcomes for clients. He said every shortlist and award this year represents a client challenge, a team focused on solving it, and work built to make a genuine difference.
He added that at a moment when the industry is being reshaped by AI, algorithms, and fragmented attention, being named Media Network of the Year shows what’s possible when strong talent, human understanding, agentic capabilities, and trusted partnerships come together. He credited the achievement to Carat’s teams and clients worldwide, calling the award a shared one.
