Havas Media Network Secures 21 Shortlists at the 2026 M&M Global Awards

Havas Media Network has earned 21 shortlist nominations at the 2026 M&M Global Awards, one of the industry’s longest-running and most prestigious global media awards programmes. The recognition spans six campaigns from teams across Mexico, Chile, Spain, France and North America, showcasing the network’s ability to create innovative media experiences that drive business performance and cultural impact.  

The shortlisted work covers a diverse range of sectors, including retail, automotive, tourism, healthcare, public service and quick-service restaurants, reflecting the breadth of creativity and strategic excellence across the network. 

The winners will be announced at the M&M Global Awards ceremony in London on 1 October 2026. 

Wildfires are an increasing threat across Europe, yet early detection remains one of the most effective ways to reduce their impact. Seeking a new way to engage citizens in prevention efforts, Havas Play France partnered with Sapeurs-Pompiers de France to tap into the scale and vigilance of online gaming communities. 

FireCatchers transformed Twitch viewers into a network of digital fire watchers, encouraging communities to help identify and report potential wildfire risks in real time. By bringing together technology, gaming culture and public service, the initiative demonstrated how digital communities can contribute to real-world outcomes. 

Its innovative use of gaming as a tool for public engagement, combined with a strong social purpose, earned the campaign recognition in five categories. 

Shortlisted for: 

• Best Campaign Led by Cause
• Best Campaign Led by Digital Media
• Best Creative Idea 
• Best Response Campaign 
• Best Use of Gaming 

Read the full case study here.

Teaching children about sun protection can be challenging, particularly when traditional health messages struggle to cut through. To address this, Havas Play Spain helped ISDIN transform education into an interactive experience through UV Tattoo to Learn. 

The initiative used temporary UV-sensitive tattoos that appeared when exposed to sunlight, helping children visualise the effects of sun exposure and understand the importance of sunscreen in a fun and engaging way. By turning learning into play, the campaign created an experience that resonated with both children and parents. 

Combining creativity, behavioural insight and preventative healthcare, the campaign demonstrated how education can be delivered in a memorable and effective format, earning recognition across four award categories. 

Shortlisted for: 

• Best Campaign for a Specific Audience 
• Best Campaign for Pharma, Well-Being and Healthcare 
• Best Communications Strategy 
• Best Creative Idea 

Read the full case study here. 

With Roadstar, developed by  Havas Chile,  Havas Media Network, and  Groenlandia by Havas, Hyundai used the unifying power of music to connect people across Chile, transforming the brand from an automotive advertiser into an active participant in culture. Rather than focusing on vehicle features, the campaign created shared experiences that strengthened Hyundai’s connection with audiences and built relevance through music, entertainment and community. 

Through a carefully orchestrated partnership strategy, Roadstar brought together entertainment, media and brand storytelling in a way that resonated with consumers and extended Hyundai’s presence beyond traditional automotive communications. The result was a fully integrated campaign that demonstrated how brands can earn attention through culture rather than interruption. 

Shortlisted for: 

• Best Campaign for Automotive 
• Best Campaign Led by a Partnership
• Best Integrated Campaign 
• Best Use of Music in a Media Campaign 

Read the full case study here.
 

For El Buen Fin, Mexico’s largest shopping event, IKEA faced a unique challenge. While consumer attention was focused on heavily discounted electronics, the brand’s global business model meant it could not compete through aggressive price promotions. Instead, Arena Media Mexico, Havas HOY and CSA Mexico identified an opportunity hidden within shopper behaviour.  

The team discovered that consumers often viewed the money saved on discounted TVs as “bonus” money they could spend elsewhere. Leveraging this insight, the campaign strategically placed contextual product reviews on TV retailer websites, showing consumers how the money saved on their TV purchase could be used to buy an IKEA TV stand.  

The innovative approach turned competitor promotions into an advantage for IKEA, delivering a 245% increase in click-through rate to IKEA.mx and a 447% uplift in TV furniture sales, all without paid media investment or traditional discounting.  

Shortlisted for: 

• Best Retail Media Campaign 
• Best Small Budget Campaign 
• Best Campaign for Fashion, Beauty and Retail 
• Best Campaign Led by Digital Media 

Great brands do more than listen to consumers. They respond in ways that strengthen relationships and build trust. That principle was at the heart of Fries Compensation, the campaign created by Arena Media Spain and PS21 for KFC. 

Grounded in audience data and real consumer feedback, the campaign transformed customer criticism into an opportunity for engagement. By acknowledging frustrations and responding with creativity, KFC successfully turned a potential challenge into a moment of brand connection. 

The campaign illustrates how data can be used not only to optimise performance but also to inspire ideas rooted in genuine consumer insight, resulting in recognition for both its strategic thinking and execution. 

Shortlisted for: 

• Best Campaign Led by Data 
• Best Integrated Campaign 
• Best Local Execution of a Brand 

Read the full case study here.
 

As economic pressures led many Americans to rethink their travel plans, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts saw an opportunity to help travellers satisfy their desire for adventure without the cost of an overseas trip. Built around the insight that many iconic European destinations have American counterparts, Drive to Europe invited audiences to experience “Europe” closer to home.  

The campaign developed by Havas Media Network NA, used humour to bring the idea to life, partnering with British comedian Troy Hawke on a road trip across the United States. Through a series of social-first videos, Troy explored American destinations with European names and landmarks, revealing how travellers could enjoy the feeling of a European getaway while staying within driving distance. Wyndham properties along the route became a natural part of the journey, reinforcing the brand’s promise of making travel possible for all.  

Distributed across TikTok, Meta and YouTube and supported by out-of-home media, the campaign reached 18 million travellers, drove a 7-point lift in brand awareness and favourability, and delivered a 20% increase in website traffic compared to previous campaign benchmarks. Featured Wyndham properties also recorded double-digit booking growth, with some locations seeing increases of up to 10% year over year, despite broader declines across the hotel category.  

Shortlisted for: 

• Best Campaign for Tourism and Travel 

Across retail, tourism, healthcare, gaming, automotive and food service, these 21 shortlist nominations highlight the scale and diversity of talent across Havas Media Network. Together, the shortlisted campaigns demonstrate the power of strategic thinking, creativity and media innovation to create memorable experiences, drive measurable business results and deliver lasting impact for brands and communities alike. 

For the full shortlist and more information about the awards, visit the M&M Global Awards website.