DoorDash Tops the PR Category at Cannes 2023

This week we are celebrating the creativity and learnings from this year’s Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. If you are not familiar, there are several “categories” for the awards that span the various disciplines of marketing such as advertising, purpose, digital, etc. And of course also public relations. There are winners within each category and then each category picks an overall winner. More specifically, there are bronze, silver, and gold winners and then one titanium for the category.

This year’s titanium award in public relations went to DoorDash for their Valentine’s Day promotion about self-love.

While some felt like there were other more purposeful campaigns that should have won given the nature of the world we are in at the moment, the PR Jury picked this one for its use of data, insights, approach to a stigmatized topic, a taboo discussion, and a unique way for a brand to garner more awareness and users. And of course its creativity.

I buy all of that. And yes, while one could argue that there are larger societal problems to be addressed (which many Cannes Lions entries do), if this is a marketing, creativity, and effectiveness award then this campaign surely fits the bill.

Just one of a few entries/winners we will examine this week.

What are your thoughts? What’s your experience? JIM

PS - Our agency Ketchum won a gold award in the PR category for our work in the UK for Iceland Foods. I thought I’d share that too along with a big congrats to our clients and teams for the amazing work!