Separating the cubs from the Lions

Independent Newspapers (The Inc), the local Cannes representatives, say the festival this year is bigger with new offerings, including a content showcase - a dedicated exhibition area where content creators and providers across all media platforms will be displaying their products and capabilities to the 10 000 attendees.

"There is excellent creative of international standard coming out of South Africa, judging from the multiple Cannes Lions we won last year. We should enter en-masse this year and showcase our work," says Andrew Cuthbertson, The Inc GM.

Last year SA agencies won 30 Cannes Lions, including a Grand Prix award, a first for the country. The breakdown of the Cannes Lions was: one Grand Prix, six Golds, four Silvers, and 19 Bronzes.

The festival has new offerings this year with the introduction of the Integrated Titanium Awards and the Student Registration Package. The Integrated Titanium Lions will honour high standard state-of-the-art integrated campaigns. The seven day Student Registration Package will offer full-time students a chance to be at the greatest advertising event in the world.

Registration for the delegates and media has already opened, and all entry systems opened on Thursday, 1 February.

Arguably the most prestigious advertising awards, Cannes Lions 2007 promises to be the best yet. The festival is the largest gathering of worldwide marketing and advertising professionals competing for the highly coveted Lion awards, which honour the most creative TV/cinema, print, outdoor, and online advertising as well as the best media and direct marketing solutions.