After leading the Canadian pack with 14 Lions – including a Grand Prix and three golds – Rethink put a bow on the 2026 festival by being named both Independent Agency of the Year and Independent Network of the Year.
The agency also landed in third place for Agency of the Year after Lepup, Milan and VML, New York. Rethink client Ikea also ranked number three in the top three brands.
“This is an incredible honour for everyone at Rethink,” agency CCO and partner Aaron Starkman told strategy. “It represents what happens when a group of offices is united by a shared ambition and a belief that great ideas can come from anywhere and travel everywhere.
“We’re incredibly proud to represent Canada on this stage, and grateful to every Rethinker and client partner who helped bring this work to life.
“In a year where AI is changing how we make things, this feels like a reminder that the most powerful ideas are still the simple, human ones.”
Rethink has made its mark over the last few years with powerful ideas and standout work for clients such as IKEA, Penguins International, Molson, Coors and Heinz.
In fact, few agency-client relationships anywhere in the world are producing work as consistently inventive and award-winning as Rethink and Heinz. Rather than chasing one-off stunts, the partners have built a platform around distinctive brand assets that keeps evolving without feeling repetitive.
The same disciplined, long-term thinking can be seen across much of the agency’s client roster.
But, perhaps more importantly, Rethink is no longer competing to be Canada’s best agency. It’s competing against the world’s best – and increasingly setting the pace. This year, it became the first agency at Cannes to finish among the top three Independent Networks for six consecutive years.
That’s great news for Canada. As Starkman told strategy earlier this week, “Canada is having a moment.” The agency is proving that the country’s place at the top of the global creative rankings is no longer an exception, it’s becoming an expectation.
And that’s good for all Canadian clients and creatives alike.
The 2026 Rethink rundown:
Heinz, “Look Familiar”
- Print & Publishing, Grand Prix
- Outdoor, Bronze
Heinz, “Coincidence?”
- Outdoor, Gold
Heinz, “Heinz Dipper”
- Direct, Gold
- Direct, Silver
- Brand Experience & Activation, Bronze
- Outdoor, Bronze
IKEA, “Sleep Talk Reviews”
- Audio & Radio, Gold
- Outdoor, Bronze
- PR, Bronze
IKEA, “U Up?”
- Creative Strategy, Silver
- Creative Effectiveness, Bronze
Penguins International, “The Protest March of the Penguins”
- Health & Wellness, Bronze
- PR, Bronze
