THE PUB THAT REFUSED TO DIE

Pubs are more than businesses, they are the social foundations of many communities. Across Ireland and the UK, thousands of local pubs have closed over the past two decades, taking with them spaces where people connect and belong. When Kilteely faced losing Aherns, its last remaining pub, the village faced losing a vital part of its identity. The story of 26 residents uniting to save their pub showed that communities can preserve what matters most when they come together. The Pub That Refused To Die transformed this rescue story into a documentary campaign celebrating collective action. Heineken partnered with filmmaker Gar O’Rourke to capture the journey of the Kilteely 26, ordinary people who bought, reopened, and rebuilt their local pub as a symbol of resilience. The documentary premiered at the Dublin International Film Festival on 28 February 2026, followed by a nationwide roadshow across Ireland. Screenings featured Q&As with Kilteely shareholders and Heineken representatives, turning the film into a wider conversation about saving local pubs. The renewed Street Bar in Kilteely became a thriving community space again, proving collective action can revive local institutions. The campaign transformed a village story into a national conversation about the importance of pubs and shared spaces in keeping communities connected. AWARDS Cannes Lions 2026 - Creative Strategy Grand Prix https://www.llllitl.fr/2026/06/cannes-lions-2026-grand-prix/ CREDITS Brand: Heineken. Product: Heineken Green. Creative Agency: LePub Milan, and Publicis Dublin. Production House: Antidote Films Dublin. Post Production: Company 3 London, and Prodigious Milan. Media Agency: Dentsu X Dublin PR Agency: The Romans London, and Thinkhouse Dublin. HEINEKEN® GLOBAL Head of Global Heineken® Brand: Nabil Nasser. Global Communication Director: Dana Katz. Global Communication Managers: Alessandra Cavarra, Nalini Bhagwandin, Beatrice Marques Jordao. Head of Brand & Consumer PR: Jonathan O’Lone. Brand Global PR Lead: Joey Brophy. Global Data Strategy Lead: Laura Sevilla German. HEINEKEN® IRELAND Marketing Director: Fiona Curtin. Senior Brand Manager: Rachael Crawley. Brand Manager: Dan Lee. LEPUB Global CEO LePub, CCO LePub Worldwide: Bruno Bertelli. Global Chief Creative Officers: Cristiana Boccassini, Mihnea Gheorghiu. Executive Creative Directors: Jack Smedley, Gaston Soto. Creative Directors: Valentino Borghesi, Silvia Oton. Associate Creative Director: Geo Joseph. Head of Art: Andrea Ferlauto. Junior Designer: Achille Nasard. Designer Intern: Marco Basilico. Head of Digital Production: Vittorio Cafiero. Global Head of Creative Technology: Mauro Mazzei. Digital Producer & Project Manager: Kejsi Haxhi. Global Head of PR & Communication: Isabella Cecconi. Head of Strategy: James Moore. Comms & Experience Strategy Director: Max Beckers. Global Client Service Directors: Shirine Aoun, Ilaria Castiglioni. Global Account Director: Gonzalo Gutierrez. Account Manager: Candida Franchi. Account Executive: Marta Sartorio. Project Manager: Alessandro Grotto. Chief Production Officer: Francesca Zazzera. Head of Production: Federico Fornasari. Producer: Eva Grossutti. Art Buyer: Caterina Collesano. PUBLICIS DUBLIN Managing Director: Geraldine Jones. Board Creative Director: Ger Roe. Creative Director: Peter Dobbyn. Group Account Director: Ruth McCormack. Head of Production: Niamh Skelly. Agency Producer: Claire Boylan. Strategy Director: Adriano Eliezer. Senior Account Manager: Cassie Treacy. POST PRODUCTION Head of Post Production: Alfredo Beretta. Junior Post Producer: Rosa Anna Fullone. Film Editor: Marco Perez. Content Editors: Damaso Queirazza, Roberto Bella. Music Composer: Mophonic. Audio Mix: Disc to Disc. Grading: Company3. Colorist: Chirs Rodgers. KV Retoucher: MGCR Studio Mattia Giani. CGI & Videos: Mattia Giani. THE ROMANS Managing Director: Kate Brazier. Executive Creative Director: Dan Roberts. Associate Director: Liam O’Brien. Account Director: Sophie Lambert-Russell. Accounts: Maddie Pay, Leigh Brian, Tom Philips. Senior Account Executive: Lucy Hebden. Account Executive: Rebecca Kapoor. THINKHOUSE Founder & Head of Creative Innovation: Jane McDaid. PR and Creator Partnerships: Elena Healy. Director of PR and Creator Partnerships: Lucy Carroll. Creative Producer: Dave McCabe. Client Service Director: Alison Baker. PR Account Executive: Isabelle Kennedy. DENTSU DUBLIN Chief Operations Officer Media: Ian Mc Grath. Business Director: Áine Lucas. Account Manager: Michael Boland. Head of Branded Content & Entertainment: Sinead O’Connor. ANTIDOTE FILMS Director: Gar O'Rourke. Executive Producer: Andrew Freedman. Producer: Steve Battle. Casting Researcher: Catherine McGrath. Production Coordinators: Mark Lynch, Kate Gurren. Director of Photography: Joey Knox. 1st Assistant Camera: Charlie Fleetwood, Sarah Dillon. 2nd Assistant Camera: Lauren O' Brien. DIT: Dylan Knapp. Sound Recordist: Rob Moore. Editor: Sam Marr.