The Organisers of the 56th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival have revealed that this year’s prestigious Advertiser of the Year award will be awarded to Volkswagen.
This award is presented to advertisers who have distinguished themselves for inspiring innovative marketing of their products and who embrace and encourage the creative work produced by their agencies.
The Advertiser of the Year trophy will be presented to Jochen Sengpiehl, Senior Vice President Volkswagen Marketing, in Cannes during the Film, Titanium and Integrated Lions Awards Ceremony on Saturday 27 June 2009.
After winning their first Cannes Lion back in 1961, Volkswagen ads have gone on to win nearly 150 Lions across all disciplines, including 2 Film Grand Prix, the first in the cinema category back in 1970 followed by the Launch II commercial in 1988; 2 Press Grand Prix, one in 1998 for a Beetle campaign and the other in 2004 for the Polo Cops ad; a Promo Grand Prix in 2006 and a Cyber Grand Prix, in the interactive category, also in 2006 for the GTI campaign.
"We are delighted to honour a brand that has loyally supported, and that continues to embrace the creative marketing of its cars throughout the decades allowing its agencies to produce numerous powerful and award winning ads over the years," said Terry Savage, Festival Chairman. "Volkswagen are a role model to other brands and worthy of this prestigious honour."
