LEGO's Julia Goldin named first-ever European CMO of the Year at Cannes Lions

Chosen by more than 800 marketing leaders from across Europe, Julia Goldin was recognised for helping transform LEGO into a global cultural brand through partnerships spanning entertainment, gaming and sport. Julia Goldin of the LEGO Group has been named the inaugural winner of the European CMO of the Year award, a new accolade recognising the continent's most influential marketing leaders. The award was presented on Monday evening during a special beachside ceremony held alongside the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, bringing together more than 100 senior marketing executives, media representatives and academics from across Europe. Goldin, the LEGO Group's Chief Product & Marketing Officer, was selected from a shortlist of 28 other CMOs, following a nomination process involving more than 800 marketing leaders from 15 European countries and regions. The final winner was chosen by CMOs participating in the CMO Barometer survey. To make the cut, candidates needed to have held their CMO role for at least two years and held strategic responsibility for marketing across a minimum of four European countries. Accepting the award, Goldin told Euronews Culture: "It's very humbling. It’s, of course, very exciting. I feel an extreme sense of pride for the achievements of my team and our organisation." The recognition caps a period of significant expansion for LEGO under Goldin's leadership. The Danish toymaker has broadened its presence across entertainment, gaming and sport through partnerships with franchises including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel and Fortnite, alongside global campaigns linked to Formula One and football. Professor Sven Reinecke, Director of the Institute of Marketing and Customer Insight at the University of St. Gallen and the award's academic partner, praised Goldin's impact on the brand. "Julia Goldin sets the benchmark for modern marketing leadership in Europe: strategic, creative and culturally relevant," he said. "She has transformed the LEGO brand far beyond its product category into a cultural icon, demonstrating how brands today can drive both growth and relevance." Speaking to Euronews Culture after receiving the award, Goldin said the honour also reflected the strength of European creativity: "There are many awards that recognise the work of symbols around the world, the importance of creativity and imagination. But I think that there's something here that's a manifestation of the importance of European creativity and imagination." She pointed to LEGO's own journey from a small Danish company founded in 1932 to a global entertainment brand. "Very humble beginnings in Denmark, in very rural Denmark in 1932, with a view of just becoming something that's good for children to have, and now becoming a brand that is actually bringing moments of joy and creativity and sense of pride and creation to people around the world of all ages, all genders." The ceremony also featured a keynote address from Nina Schick, who spoke about the impact of generative AI on creativity, innovation and brand leadership. Full list of selected CMOs: Ilaria Lodigiani - Barilla Boris Dolkhani - Bosch Javier Meza - Coca-Cola Anouk Van Hauteghem - Coca-Cola (Fanta, Mezzo Mix, Dr Pepper) Cristina Diezhandino - Diageo Beltran Dobao - Fatboy Enrico Galliera - Ferrari Marco Neroni - Golden Goose Noel Mack - Gymshark Karsten Kühn - HORNBACH David Sandström - Klarna Asmita Dubey - L'Oréal Julia Goldin - LEGO Andrea Spielmann - Lorenz Snack-World Mathilde Delhoume-Debreu - LVMH Susanne Schwenger - Marc O'Polo Jennifer Treiber-Ruckenbrod - MINI Melanie Brinbaum - Nestlé Olivier Degiorgis - Nestlé Lactalis Géraldine Weilandt - NIVEA Vincent Sieben - Philips Taide Guajardo - Procter & Gamble Antoine Le Nel - Revolut Dr. Susanne Dickhardt - roadsurfer Benjamin Braun - Samsung Europe Kerstin Köder - SAP Leandro Barreto - Unilever Fabio Bin - WeRoad Nicole Lunzer - woom