Creative Commerce Lions
The Creative Commerce Lions celebrate the innovative and creative approach to online and offline commerce and payment solutions.
Introduction

The history of the Creative Commerce Lions
In 2018 the Creative eCommerce Lions were introduced to recognise innovative e-commerce payment solutions in response to changing marketing challenges.
In 2022, this Lions was rebranded as the Creative Commerce Lions to reflect the broader scope of modern commerce, now including areas like inclusive commerce and sustainable commerce.
This evolution was necessary to keep pace with the rapid changes in the commerce landscape, highlighting the increasing importance of creativity across all commerce channels.
Guidelines to Entering

What kind of work can be entered?
The work should demonstrate a seamless blend of storytelling with commerce, guiding customers naturally from engagement to purchase. The work should show a clear link to sales objectives, using innovative media and technology to create an experience that feels personalised and interactive. It should reflect strong brand identity and cultural relevance making a meaningful impact on consumers.
Innovative work that enhances the shopping experience and transforms how consumers engage with brands. This includes shoppable experiences such as livestreams, social commerce, and immersive e-commerce platforms that utilize technology to enable customers to transition seamlessly from inspiration to purchase. Entries may also include omnichannel innovation that creates cohesive customer journeys across physical and digital channels, integrating in-store and online experiences through tools like digital kiosks and personalized mobile checkouts.
Interactive and gamified commerce initiatives that engage users in playful experiences, as well as social commerce integrations that utilize platforms like Instagram or TikTok for direct sales, are also encouraged. Creative commerce work promoting sustainable and ethical commerce solutions, innovations that simplify the checkout process, and community and loyalty building programs that foster brand loyalty are also eligible.
What are the judging criteria?
A number of criteria will be considered during judging, weighted as follows: 30% idea; 20% strategy; 20% execution; 30% results.
Is there a limit to how many times I can enter?
The same piece of work can be entered up to four times in Creative Commerce.
Exception:
- The same piece of work may only be entered once in ‘A. Creative Commerce: Sectors’.
Eligibility
Work will need to have been executed during the eligibility period of 06 February 2025 - 09 April 2026.
What do I need to provide with my entry?
To enter, you’ll need to complete an online entry form, which can be found on the Cannes Lions entry site. In the ‘Written Explanation’ section, you’ll be asked to provide the Jury with everything they need to know about your work.
You’ll also be able to submit optional supporting materials to provide additional context with your entry.
Subtitles are highly recommended on all case films, films, demo films and original content.
Detailed information outlining the entry process can be found on A Guide to the Cannes Lions Awards.
More information on the rules for entry can be found on the Summary of Key Rules for Entering and the handbook for our new Integrity Standards can be found on the Integrity Standards.
What if I don’t have all the details right away?
Don’t worry – you can fill in the form in any order and save your progress at any time while it’s still in the pending stage. However, please only check out when your entry is 100% complete as no changes can be made to your entry once you’ve clicked “Submit” and “Checkout”.
Entry Tips

What’s the Jury looking for?
Creative ideas that optimise the end-to-end customer journey and lead to measurable commercial success.
- A strong insight, impressive execution and real results that link back to the objective
- Considered strategy, thoughtfully designed at every touchpoint
Tips from the Jury
- Determine the most impressive part of your campaign and find a category that showcases it
- Provide tangible results that demonstrate impact
- Remember the Jury are from all over the world, so provide context throughout your entry to ensure they understand the significance of your results and the relevance of your insight
- The Jury look at hundreds of pieces of work, use storytelling in the written submission and case film to help your work stand out
Inside the Jury Room: Creative Commerce Lions
To hear more from the Jury and how they decided on the winning work, check out the video below.
The Categories

A. Creative Commerce: Sectors
The same entry can be submitted only once in this section.
B. Commerce Channels
Work in these categories will be judged on commerce creativity and channel innovation.
C. Engagement
Creative commerce work in this section should focus on engaging and captivating audiences both online and offline.
D. User Experience
Commerce work in this section should focus on the customer journey, ensuring a seamless experience at every touchpoint.
E. Challenges & Breakthroughs
Creative and innovative work that's brought to life through deep cultural insight, regional context and progressive thinking.
The Written Submission

Here’s the questions you’ll be asked regarding your work.
To start your entry to the Creative Commerce Lions, go to our Awards page.
The Jury will refer to the written explanation you provide throughout the judging process. Our advice is to provide as much relevant detail as possible.
When answering the following questions keep the main element you’re trying to celebrate in mind (e.g. the storytelling, the strategy, the craft, the use of data).
The bullet points under each question are prompts designed to guide your thinking, based on the factors the jury will be considering when reviewing your work. You might not need to use them all, and that’s totally fine. They’re there to help you consider what’s most important in your work.
Questions
Category-Specific Questions
Contact us

Everything you need to know to enter
For more detailed information on how to use the entry site, craft a compelling submission or submit your work we have a whole range of resources.
From Entry Guides that give you a step-by-step overview of the entire process to the Entry Kits that provide all the detailed rules and requirements for each and every category.

We are here to help
As Awards Experts, we know the Lions inside out. We can help with:
- Sharing the updates to the Awards for 2025
- Offering best-practice advice on how to craft a compelling entry
- Discussing your work and relevant categories
- Scheduling regular catch-ups to answer any questions that arise throughout the entry process.
Whether you have a specific query or would like expert advice, get in touch today.
Email: awards@canneslions.com Helpline: +44 0 20 7046 1155