Sir John Hegarty wins first Lion Of St. Mark

A new prize has been introduced to Cannes Lions this year in celebration and honour of a life-long, inspiring and game-changing contribution to creativity in communications.

 

The Lion of St. Mark trophy is based on the original Lions awarded at the festival when it was held in Venice, from 1954 to 1984. Sir John Hegarty, worldwide creative director and founder of Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) is the first recipient of the award.

 

Sir John Hegarty started his career in advertising as a junior art director at Benton and Bowles London in 1965. In 1967 he joined the Cramer Saatchi consultancy which became Saatchi & Saatchi in 1970. He left in 1973 to co-found TBWA\London as creative director. Nine years after that he started BBH with John Bartle and Nigel Bogle.

 

BBH was Cannes Lions’ first Agency of the year in 1993. The agency now has offices in London, New York, Singapore, São Paulo, Shanghai and Mumbai, and Sir John Hegarty oversees the creative output of all these offices. 

 

Commenting on this award, Terry Savage, Cannes Lions chairman, said, “Sir John’s passionate commitment, brilliant creative mind and persistence in taking risks and pushing boundaries has revolutionised and changed the face of advertising. His iconic work is much admired around the world and has influenced and inspired thousands.”

 

On the award received, Sir John Hegarty said, “This is obviously a great honour. It is there to remind us all that creativity is the driving force of our business and of course, the driving force of brand success.”