PR Lions

The PR Lions celebrate the craft of strategic and creative communication.

Introduction

The history of the PR Lions

The PR Lions were introduced in 2009 to celebrate branded communications and creative reputation management.

It’s been updated and refreshed a number of times over the years to ensure it continues to accurately celebrate and reflect the PR industry.

In 2019 a comprehensive review of the Lion was undertaken to highlight and celebrate the shift in PR towards a more strategic function. In 2024, Section E ‘Excellence in PR Craft’ was added to provide a dedicated space for independent PR agencies.

Guidelines to Entering

What kind of work can be entered?

Campaigns that effectively shape public perception, build meaningful connections with audiences, and drive engagement through storytelling, influence, or advocacy. These can range from press and media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and social media activations to experiential events, crisis communications, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

What are the judging criteria?

A number of criteria will be considered during judging, weighted as follows: 20% idea; 30% PR strategy; 20% PR execution; 30% impact and results.

Eligibility

Work will need to have been executed during the eligibility period of 06 February 2025 - 09 April 2026.

Is there a limit to how many times I can enter?

The same piece of work can be entered up to four times in PR.

Exceptions:

  • The same piece of work may only be entered once in ‘A. PR: Sectors’.
  • The work in Section E: Excellence in PR Craft can only be submitted and paid for by independent PR agencies or companies owned by a PR network or independent PR network. The same piece of work can be entered only once in each category within this section.

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 be required provide proof of impact, supported by verifiable evidence, this information will not be shared with the Jury, but will be used to verify claims made in your entry materials. You'll also be required to provide details of a senior executive from both the brand and the entrant company (CEO, CMO or equivalent) who can formally approve the submission.

Optional supporting materials to provide additional context with your entry can also be uploaded.

Subtitles are highly recommended on all case films, films, demo films and original content.

Detailed information outlining the entry process can be found on our 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?

Strategy rooted in earned media that has real impact, beyond likes and impressions. Work that has storytelling at its core and establishes, protects or enhances the reputation and business of an organisation or brand.

  • 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

To hear more from the Jury and how they decided on the winning work, check out the video below.

The Categories

A. PR: Sectors

The same entry can be submitted only once in this section.

THE PARENTAL LEAVE MORTGAGE | NORDEA | NORD DDB, STOCKHOLM | GOLD LION, PR LIONS | 2025

B. Social Engagement & Influencer Marketing

In these categories, your entry will be judged on how well social/digital platforms were leveraged to support or execute the PR campaign.

NUTTER BUTTER, YOU GOOD? | NUTTER BUTTER | DENTSU CREATIVE, NEW YORK | GOLD LION, PR LIONS | 2025

C. Insights & Measurement

These categories showcase effectiveness in using data to drive creative inspiration and communications strategies. The work will be judged on the deliberate and thoughtful introduction of insights and measurements to develop campaigns that have had real impact on the performance of an organisation. The work should demonstrate the success of activities that tackle the wide range of reputational and stakeholder challenges that non-advertising communications have to address.

ZIP CODE EXAM | ZIP CODE EXAM | AREA 23, AN IPG HEALTH COMPANY, NEW YORK | BRONZE LION, PR LIONS | 2025

D. PR Techniques

In these categories, your entry will be judged on the creative implementation of your chosen PR technique in order to increase reach and achieve desired campaign outcomes.

PROGRESSO SOUP DROPS | PROGRESSO | EDELMAN, CHICAGO | GOLD LION, PR LIONS | 2025

E. Excellence in PR Craft

Work in these categories will be judged on the demonstration of exceptional and creative best practice within the chosen PR specialism.

Entries in this section can only be submitted and paid for by Independent PR agencies or companies owned by a PR network or independent PR network. The same piece of work can be entered only once in each category within this section.

AIRBNB ICONS | AIRBNB | WEBER SHANDWICK, SAN FRANSISCO | BRONZE LION, PR LIONS | 2025

F. Culture & Context

Work that is brought to life through cultural insights and regional context.

UNFREEZE MY RIGHTS | AWAKENING FOUNDATION | DENTSU CREATIVE TAIWAN, TAIPAI | BRONZE LION, PR LIONS | 2025

The Written Submission

Here’s the questions you’ll be asked regarding your work.

To start your entry to the PR 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.

Information and advice on how to enter

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 2026
  • 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