A Milestone Achievement for AB InBev
AB InBev has been awarded the 2026 Creative Marketer of the Year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This marks the first time any company has won this prestigious title three times. The global brewing giant has integrated creativity into its marketing strategies, significantly boosting commercial success.
Last year alone, the company won 37 Lions for its innovative approach to marketing. This achievement highlights AB InBev’s ability to transform creativity into tangible business results, solidifying its leadership in the industry.
Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, stated, “AB InBev demonstrates how embedding creativity within company operations yields consistent commercial outperformance. They are a prime example of the connection between creative excellence and business success.”
Innovative Strategies Fuel Growth
Since 2021, AB InBev has shifted focus from inorganic to organic growth. By leveraging creativity as a vital competitive edge, the company has achieved record-breaking revenues and increased beer volumes. Notably, 20 of its brands have reached over USD 1 billion in sales each.
Marcel Marcondes, Global Chief Marketing Officer at AB InBev, remarked, “Creativity is always in service to driving growth. This recognition reflects our approach to building brands people love, thanks to our teams and partners worldwide.” Marcondes praised the dedication of AB InBev’s teams and agency partners worldwide for their role in achieving high revenues and this historic accolade.
The Cannes Lions Juries have consistently recognised AB InBev’s efforts. They awarded work from 10 countries across 15 Lion Awards last year. This recognition reinforces AB InBev’s status as a leader in innovative marketing.
The Global Effie Index has ranked AB InBev as the World’s Most Effective Marketer for the fourth consecutive year. In the Kantar BrandZ rankings, AB InBev brands dominate, with Corona taking the top spot as the most valuable beer brand for two consecutive years.
Looking ahead, AB InBev will open the 2026 Cannes Lions programme with a keynote presentation at the Lumière Theatre on June 22. The company will receive its Creative Marketer of the Year award at the final Awards Show on June 26.
