Cannes expands into Direct Marketing

Cannes Lions Direct, a new event dedicated to all forms of direct marketing, will be launched next year, today announced the organisers of the International Advertising Festival - Cannes Lions - the world's largest and most prestigious advertising event.

Cannes Lions Direct will take place in Cannes for the first time next year from 23 to 25 June 2002, immediately after Cannes Lions 2002 (16-22 June).

It will be to direct marketing what Cannes Lions is to general advertising, i.e:

A global showcase of the most creative and innovative DM solutions
A celebration of the very best DM work which will be selected by an international jury of DM experts and honoured with DM Lion awards
A forum where some of the biggest names in the business will address vital industry-related topics
An opportunity for DM professionals from all over the world to gather and network once a year

Moreover, the now famous Cyber Lions, the world's most prestigious digital communications awards, which have been organised for the past 4 years within the framework of Cannes Lions, will now be part of Cannes Lions Direct. Consequently, the Cyber Lions and DM Lions will be awarded at the same time during an awards ceremony to be held for the first time on Monday 24 June 2002 in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals.

The call for entries and delegate registration brochures for Cannes Lions Direct will be sent out at the end of January 2002 and more detailed information regarding the conference programme and the first Cannes DM Jury will be released within the next couple of months.