Dubai-based parking operator Parkin emerged as one of Asia’s standout performers at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2026, with its innovative “Spots for Shops” campaign securing multiple awards across the Media Lions category.
Created by FP7 McCann, “Spots for Shops” won two Silver Lions and a Bronze Lion, making it one of the region’s most awarded campaigns on Day 3 of the festival. The campaign transformed a routine parking transaction into a tool for supporting local businesses, allowing motorists to reclaim parking fees through purchases at participating neighbourhood stores.
“Dubai is a car-first city, so the parking spot became our canvas,” said Federico Fanti, Regional Chief Creative Officer at FP7 McCann.
The initiative, developed in partnership with production company No Garlic No Onions and supported by Burson for PR, encouraged drivers to validate parking payments through the Parkin app by shopping at local businesses. Fifteen neighbourhood businesses, including Beirut Blendz, participated in the first phase of the programme.
While Parkin delivered one of the strongest performances from the UAE, Vaseline emerged as Asia’s most awarded brand of the day, collecting metals across Direct, PR, Media and Social & Creator Lions through campaigns created by Ogilvy Singapore and Leo Singapore.
In the Social & Creator Lions, Singapore secured both Gold Lions awarded to Asia, with “Vaseline Originals” by Ogilvy Singapore and “Vaseline and the Real Nigerian Prince” by Leo Singapore taking top honours. The latter also added a Bronze Lion.
Vaseline’s success continued in the PR Lions, where “Vaseline Originals” earned a Silver Lion, and in the Direct Lions, where the campaign picked up a Bronze Lion.
Elsewhere, South Korea’s Dminusone Seoul won a Silver Lion in Media for “The Life-Saving Receipt” for Chorogusan for Children, while Saudi Arabia’s Saudia Airlines earned a Bronze Lion in Direct Lions for “Let It Fly” by Publicis KSA and Saatchi & Saatchi ME.
Other notable winners from the UAE included TBWA\RAAD’s “Laws Under Attack” for the International Committee of the Red Cross and Impact BBDO Dubai’s “Untaught History Edition” for Annahar, both of which secured Bronze Lions in Media. Landor Dubai also won a Bronze Lion in PR for “The Coolest Ihram” for Saudia.
The results highlighted Asia’s growing influence at Cannes, with Singapore and the UAE leading the regional medal tally through campaigns that combined cultural relevance, community engagement and business impact.
