Independent Newspapers appointed new Cannes Lions SA representative

"CineMARK has done a great job for us over many years, for which we thank them," said Terry Savage, Executive Chairman of Cannes Lions. "The development of Cannes Lions into a multi category event encompassing all aspects of the creative industry provides Independent Newspapers with a great platform to move forward with us in the future."

Elmarie Pretorius, Managing Director of CineMARK said: "It's been a great experience working with Cannes Lions and the creative community in South Africa. We believe the size of the event requires the scale of a group such as Independent Newspapers and believe this move is in the best interest of South African creativity."

Andrew Cutherbertson, General Manager of The Independent Newspapers Company added, "We are delighted to be appointed as the Cannes Lions Representative. We are committed to creativity as shown by our involvement in the Eagles and look forward to working even more closely with the creative industry in South Africa."

Independent Newspapers are one of South Africa's leading newspaper groups. Publishing 16 daily and weekly newspapers in the country's four main cities - Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town and with a substantial community newspaper footprint within the Western Cape. Independent's aggregate weekly sales are almost 3 million copies. Independent dominates the metropolitan newspaper markets.

The International Advertising Festival - Cannes Lions - is the largest gathering of worldwide marketing and advertising professionals, as well as the most prestigious advertising awards. Each year, about 8000 visitors from the advertising and allied industries attend this event to celebrate the crème de la crème of creativity in all major media, discuss industry issues and network with one another. Over 16 000 ads from all over the world are showcased at the Festival and a unique programme of high-profile seminars, organised by some of the biggest names in the industry, is also presented. Winning companies receive the highly coveted Lion awards, honouring the most creative TV/cinema, print, outdoor and online advertising, as well as the best media and direct marketing solutions.

The 53rd International Advertising Festival will be held 18-24 June 2006 in Cannes, France.

Visit www.canneslions.com.