Cannes Lions to Honor Apple’s Eddy Cue as Entertainment Person of the Year 2026

Cannes Lions announced that Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services and Health, will receive the 2026 Entertainment Person of the Year award, a distinction that celebrates leaders capable of redefining entertainment, storytelling, and cultural connection through creativity and innovation.

The award recognizes Cue’s leadership of Apple’s entertainment and services ecosystem, where he oversees platforms including Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, Apple Pay, Apple News, Fitness+, Apple Card, Apple Maps, and iCloud, as well as the company’s productivity and creativity apps.

APPLE TV AND THE GROWTH OF ENTERTAINMENT AT APPLE

Under Cue’s leadership, Apple TV has established itself as one of the most recognized streaming platforms in the industry. Since its launch just over six years ago, the service held the number one position for five consecutive years as the streaming platform with the highest-rated original programming among critics.

Series and films such as The Studio, Pluribus, Severance, and Ted Lasso helped position Apple TV as one of the leading players in global entertainment. The Studio recently became the most awarded debut comedy series of all time, while Severance was the most awarded drama series at last year’s Emmy Awards.

In film, Apple Original Films also achieved major milestones. The Academy Award-winning film F1 broke records by becoming the highest-grossing sports movie in history.

TIME recently recognized Apple as one of the world’s most influential entertainment companies, highlighting its impact on culture, storytelling, and innovation.

MORE THAN 800 AWARDS AND A COMMITMENT TO PREMIUM CONTENT

Apple’s investment in original content and premium experiences has already accumulated more than 800 awards and over 3,500 nominations.

Beyond the growth of Apple TV, Cue also leads Apple Music, which recently reached record highs in audience and new subscribers, as well as Apple’s sports business, which includes deals such as the exclusive Formula 1 broadcast rights in the United States, along with partnerships with Major League Soccer and Friday Night Baseball.

Regarding the recognition, Simon Cook, CEO of LIONS, said: “Eddy Cue has consistently pushed the boundaries of entertainment and storytelling, building platforms and experiences that have redefined how audiences connect with culture. Under his leadership, Apple has not only produced world-class content, but has also helped shape the future of entertainment through innovation, creativity, and a constant commitment to quality.”

APPLE AND ITS RECENT HISTORY AT CANNES LIONS

The recognition also reinforces Apple’s presence at Cannes Lions in recent years. In 2025, the company was named Creative Marketer of the Year, an award that honors brands with a sustained track record of creative work recognized at the festival.

That same year, Apple received the Creative Effectiveness Grand Prix for its Shot on iPhone campaign, consolidating a creative approach focused on both cultural and business impact. Other recognized campaigns included Relax: Tractor, The Underdogs: Swiped Mac, TED LASSO: Fake Team. Real Partners., and Fuzzy Feelings.

Eddy Cue will officially receive the recognition during the Cannes Lions awards ceremony on June 22, following a seminar at the Lumière Theatre alongside producer Jerry Bruckheimer.