Cannes Lions honours Apple executive Eddy Cue

Cannes Lions will recognize Apple Senior Vice President of Services and Health Eddy Cue as its 2026 Entertainment Person of the Year, highlighting his role in expanding Apple’s influence across entertainment, storytelling and digital services.

The award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the evolution of entertainment within marketing and communications through creative and cultural impact.

Cue oversees Apple’s entertainment ecosystem

Cue leads a broad portfolio of Apple services including Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, Apple News, Apple Pay, Fitness+, Apple Card, Apple Maps and iCloud, alongside the company’s productivity and creativity applications.

Under his leadership, Apple TV has become one of the streaming industry’s most awarded platforms since launching more than six years ago as an original content service. According to Cannes Lions, the platform has held the highest critically rated slate of original programming among streaming services for five consecutive years.

Apple TV titles highlighted by Cannes Lions included The Studio, Pluribus, Severance and Ted Lasso. The Studio became the most-awarded freshman comedy series to date, while Severance was last year’s most Emmy-awarded drama series.

Apple expands entertainment and sports presence

Apple Original Films also achieved commercial success with F1, which Cannes Lions described as the highest-grossing sports film of all time.

Beyond television and film, Cue oversees Apple Music, which recently reached record levels for listenership and subscriber growth, as well as Apple’s sports partnerships. These include the company’s exclusive US Formula 1 broadcast agreement, alongside partnerships with Major League Soccer and Friday Night Baseball.

TIME recently named Apple among the world’s most influential entertainment companies, recognising its role in storytelling, culture and entertainment technology.

Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS: “Eddy Cue has consistently pushed the boundaries of entertainment and storytelling, building platforms and experiences that have redefined how audiences engage with culture. Under his leadership, Apple has not only produced world-class content but has also shaped the future of entertainment through innovation, creativity and an unwavering commitment to quality. We’re delighted to honour Eddy as our 2026 Entertainment Person of the Year.”

Apple continues Cannes Lions recognition streak

Apple has maintained a strong presence at Cannes Lions in recent years. In 2025, the company received the Creative Marketer of the Year award, recognising sustained success in Lion-winning creative work.

The company also won the Creative Effectiveness Grand Prix for its Shot on iPhone campaign. Other campaigns recognised at Cannes Lions in recent years include Relax: Tractor, The Underdogs: Swiped Mac, TED LASSO: Fake Team. Real Partners. and Fuzzy Feelings.

Cue is scheduled to deliver a keynote seminar with producer Jerry Bruckheimer on 22 June at the Lumière Theatre before receiving the award during the evening’s Cannes Lions Awards Show.

www.canneslions.com

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