Cannes Lions has announced the shortlist for the Brand Experience & Activation Lions category, with Via Media’s campaign It’s Time to Stop among the entries still in contention for a Lion.
The campaign addresses violence prevention and the responsibility of the wider community, raising the question of the moment when violence must stop. Through the activation, the subject was moved beyond general awareness messaging into a direct public call for action.
The shortlist is particularly significant because Brand Experience & Activation Lions recognises ideas that build a stronger connection between brands and people through experience, activation and audience engagement.
With this shortlist, Via Media joins two previously shortlisted Croatian projects: Imago Ogilvy for Studenac with Cry For Hydration in the Social & Creator Lions, Local Brand category, and Studio Sonda with Label created by the wine itself – Piquentum Brut Nature in the Creative B2B Lions, Challenger Brand category.
One project from Bosnia and Herzegovina and two from Croatia are, so far, the only entries from the Adriatic region to make the Cannes Lions 2026 shortlists announced to date.
The results for Creative B2B Lions, where Studio Sonda is shortlisted for Piquentum Brut Nature, will be announced on Monday, 22 June. The results for Social & Creator Lions, where Imago Ogilvy is shortlisted for Studenac, will be announced on Wednesday, 24 June. Winners in the Brand Experience & Activation Lions category, where Via Media is shortlisted, will be revealed on Thursday, 25 June, during the Cannes Lions Festival.
