Groupe Figaro Crowned Top Media Group at CB News' 2026 Grand Prix des Médias
CB News has named Groupe Figaro its 2026 media group of the year, with M6's David Larramendy taking the 'media personality of the year' prize.
The awards
Groupe Figaro won the overall Grand Prix des Médias 2026 — the 28th edition of CB News' awards — announced on 8 September 2026. David Larramendy of Groupe M6 was named "media personality of the year," and the palmarès also recognised LCI, Le Figaro, RTL and the documentary "Des vivants."
Figaro moved quickly to publicise the top honour across its corporate channels — which is itself part of the story. Awards like these are not just industry back-slapping; they are positioning assets deployed in ad-sales conversations.
Why awards double as sales tools
For a media group heading into the autumn buying season, "media group of the year" is a line for every pitch deck and rate-card conversation. It signals momentum to advertisers and agencies, and momentum is persuasive. That is precisely why winners amplify these results so hard.
Our read: recognition matters, but it is a sentiment signal, not a buying criterion. A trophy tells you a title is respected by its peers; it tells you nothing about whether its audience matches your target, how brand-safe its environment is, or what you will actually pay per outcome.
How advertisers should treat industry prizes
First, note the accolade and move on to the numbers. Let awards colour your sense of a partner's health and direction, but base the buy on reach, audience fit, viewability and price — the metrics that survive a media audit.
Second, use the moment as leverage, not flattery. A group trumpeting a big win is a group keen to convert prestige into revenue; that is a reasonable time to negotiate on added value, data access or test budgets. Prestige is most useful to the advertiser, not the media owner, when it is on the table in a negotiation.
Quick FAQ
Who won CB News' 2026 Grand Prix des Médias?
Groupe Figaro took the overall prize, announced 8 September 2026, with M6's David Larramendy named media personality of the year.
Is this the same as the Grand Prix des Régies?
No — the Grand Prix des Médias recognises media groups and titles, a separate CB News award from the Grand Prix des Régies for ad-sales houses.
How should advertisers treat such awards?
As a sentiment signal about a partner's standing, not a buying criterion — decisions should still rest on reach, audience fit, brand safety and price.
Industry awards are positioning assets, not buying criteria. 'Media group of the year' is a great line for a pitch deck — which is exactly why winners shout about it. Note it, then judge the buy on reach, fit, brand safety and price. And if a partner is busy celebrating, that's a fine moment to negotiate. — Daniel Nikolla, Founder of Merx Marketing
Treat a media award as a sentiment signal, not a buying reason — and as leverage: a partner celebrating a win is a partner ready to negotiate.
When a media partner wins big, do you congratulate them — or use the moment to negotiate?
If you would like to know more about this topic, please contact us on danieln@merxmarketing.co.uk
Sources: CB News, LeBlogTVNews, media.figaro.fr.
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Written by Daniel Nikolla, Founder of Merx Marketing Ltd and Marketing Minute
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