ACT Responsible Celebrates Creativity and
bold Leadership at the ACT Tributes 2026
ACT Responsible celebrated its annual ACT Tributes to Creativity & Champions of Good at RTL Beach in Cannes, bringing together industry leaders, changemakers, brands, NGOs and creative professionals to honour both inspiring individuals and inspiring campaigns that demonstrate the power of creativity to drive positive change.
Held during Cannes Lions and marking the 25th anniversary of ACT Responsible, the ceremony recognised six exceptional individuals whose leadership, influence and commitment are helping create a more inclusive, sustainable and equitable world.
ACT Champions of Good 2026
Brand: Ulrike Decoene – Group Chief Communications, Brand & Sustainability Officer, AXA – for
demonstrating how business leadership, sustainability and brand purpose can work together to drive positive social and environmental change at a global scale.
Ad Industry: Melanie Tobal – Founder & President of Publicitarias – for advancing gender equality across
the advertising industry and building a movement that empowers, connects and elevates women throughout Latin America and beyond.
Movement: Mirella von Lindenfels – Director at Communications Inc Limited & International Programme on the State of the Ocean – for championing ocean conservation through advocacy, education and coalition-building, helping keep marine protection on the global agenda.
NGO/Institution: Sherri Aldis – Director, UN Regional Information Centre for Western Europe – for strengthening public engagement with the values of the United Nations and promoting international cooperation, dialogue and collective action on global challenges.
Rising Star: Sheeraz Gulsher – Co-founder, People Like us – for creating pathways for underrepresented
talent and helping build a more inclusive, representative and equitable future for the creative industries.
Impact on a Region: Kātene Durie-Doherty – Head of Māori Culture, Motion Sickness President – for championing indigenous leadership, cultural representation and the integration of Māori perspectives within New Zealand’s creative industry and beyond.
The Champions were introduced by a distinguished group of former Champions of Good including former Champions Phil Thomas, Sonita Alizadeh, Amy Williams, Laura Maness and Martina Fuga, alongside ACT Advisory Board Member, Christian de la Villehuchet.Champ
ACT Tributes to Creativity 2026
In the second part of the celebration, ACT Responsible honours twelve campaigns selected by public vote
during the exhibition. The Tributes to Creativity for Good are given across four categories — Education, Environment, Human Rights, and Solidarity — and celebrate campaigns that combine strong creative execution with meaningful purpose.
Unlike traditional awards judged by a professional jury, these tributes are entirely decided by the general public, allowing every visitor — both online and onsite — to engage with and vote for the campaigns that resonate most with them. A particularity of the ACT exhibition format is the strong visibility given to print
campaigns, which are often easier to grasp and compare at a glance by casual visitors walking through the space. This helps attract more attention and votes for these campaigns, showing how powerful visuals can raise public awareness.
The winning campaigns were recognised during a live ceremony hosted by representatives from Nielsen, IAA France and Brazil, WARC and the IAA Sustainability Council.
In EDUCATION
#1 – The Whole Picture for The Guardian, by Lucky Generals NY, United States
#2 – The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix for The Philipstown WireCar Foundation by Accenture Song, South Africa
#3 – Trash Vegetables for Wikifarmer by McCann Worldgroup Athens, Greece
In ENVIRONMENT
#1 – No Blue, No Green for SOS Oceano by Droga5/WALK, Brazil
#2 – Bottle it Back for Planet Water Foundation by TBWA\SMP, Philippines
#3 – Firecatchters for Fédération nationale des sapeurs-pompiers de France by Havas Play, France
In HUMAN RIGHTS
#1- La Fiesta for Save the Children by FCB Newlink, Mexico
#2 – Let Her Finish for International Women’s Day by JT Agency, Nigeria
#3 – Wars for Amnesty International by WILD FI, Chile
In SOLIDARITY
#1 – 30 Under 30 Special Edition Magazine for Change the ref by Founders Agency, United States
#2 – Unseen Acts for United Way by BBDO Puerto Rico
#3 – No One is Disposable for CASA Centro de Apoio ao Sem Abrigo by Studio Nuts, Portugal
