The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has named David Lubars, former Chief Creative Officer of BBDO Worldwide, as the recipient of this year’s Lion of St. Mark, the festival’s lifetime achievement award. The honor recognizes Lubars’ remarkable four-decade career, during which he won over 600 Cannes Lions and helped BBDO become Network of the Year a record-setting seven times, ultimately securing the title of Network of the Decade in 2020.
Lubars has long been a dominant force in the advertising world. His groundbreaking work has redefined the industry, including the BMW Films campaign, The Hire, which inspired the creation of the Titanium Lions category. The campaign, which won the inaugural Titanium Lion, is now part of the permanent collection at MoMA in New York.
“David has shaped the creative landscape in profound ways,” said Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS. “From serving on seven Cannes Lions juries—five as Jury President—to leading some of the world’s most culturally significant campaigns, his impact is undeniable. His visionary storytelling, strategic brilliance, and relentless pursuit of excellence have left an indelible mark on the industry.”
Lubars’ work has earned widespread recognition, including the global “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign for Snickers, which ran in over 70 countries, increased market share in 56 of 58 markets, and amassed 47 Cannes Lions since its 2010 Super Bowl debut. Another standout project, HBO Voyeur, redefined interactive storytelling and swept Cannes with two Grand Prix, five Gold, two Silver, and one Bronze Lion in a single year.
A Legacy of Innovation
Reflecting on the honor, Lubars shared, “Great brands have magic. My job was to surface that magic, bring it to life, and make people fall in love with it. The best work isn’t just advertising—it injects creative air into culture rather than adding to the noise. That’s what I strived for every day alongside the incredible clients and agency partners I had the privilege to work with for 43 years. And that’s why Cannes is Cannes.”
Starting his career as a copywriter at Leonard Monahan Saabye in 1982, Lubars went on to Chiat\Day LA, where he worked on Apple, before returning to Leonard Monahan Lubars as a partner. He later led BBDO West as CEO and Chief Creative Officer before joining Fallon Minneapolis in 1998, where he spearheaded some of his most iconic work, including BMW Films. In 2004, he returned to BBDO, where he remained for 20 years until announcing his retirement in 2024.
Lubars will receive the Lion of St. Mark at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, where he will also take the stage for a special Lion of St. Mark seminar on June 20. The festival runs June 16–20 in Cannes, France.
REELated:
Cannes Lions 2024: A convergence of creativity and innovation
