Leading independent creative agency Rethink has been named the 2026 Independent Agency of the Year and Independent Network of the Year at the 73rd Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, reclaiming the festival’s highest honors for independent agencies after first earning the distinction in 2024. The agency earned a total of 14 awards (3 gold, 2 silver, 8 bronze, and 37 shortlists) and, most notably, a Grand Prix in print and publishing for Kraft Heinz “Look Familiar?”.
Awarded Cannes Lions work from Rethink includes the following campaigns:
- Heinz Look Familiar
- Heinz Coincidence
- Heinz Dipper
- IKEA U UP?
- IKEA Sleep Talk Reviews
- Penguins International Protest March of the Penguins
“There are some of the best humans in the world in this business, and we’re incredibly fortunate that so many chose to build Rethink with us,” said Aaron Starkman, Global Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Rethink. “We’ve always believed that independence gives us the freedom to create an environment where people can do the best work of their careers. We’re incredibly grateful to our clients for believing in breakthrough ideas, and to our people for bringing them to life. To see that work recognized at Cannes in this way is an honor we’ll never take for granted.”
The recognition caps another standout year for Rethink, which was recently named Ad Age‘s Agency of the Year, Adweek’s Independent Agency of the Year, ANDY Awards Indie Agency of the Year, The One Show’s Independent Agency and Independent Network of the Year, Clio Awards Independent Agency of the Year, Strategy’s Agency of the Year, and The Advertising & Design Club of Canada’s Agency of the Year. The agency was also ranked #2 Independent Agency in Campaign Global’s Agency of the Year rankings and recognized as one of Fast Company‘s 50 Most Innovative Companies.
