This week in Cannes, France, the advertising industry is celebrating the best ads of the past year. For the first time ever, an award called the "Glass Lion," was handed out for ads "that implicitly or explicitly addresses issues of gender inequality or prejudice."
The award, created in part by Sheryl Sandberg's Leanin.org, recognized seven top campaigns. A top award, called the Grand Prix, was handed out to pad brand Whisper for its "Touch the Pickle" campaign.
Asked about the active role companies trying to sell a product are playing in this discussion, Sandberg said in an email that she welcomed their voices. "Brands have immense power to shatter stereotypes and overturn cliches," she said. "What we've learned is that accomplishing these goals isn't just about changing culture for the better -- it's about the bottom line. There is a business case for gender equality in advertising, and the outcome is clear."
Here are all the ads: