Cannes Lions has announced that entries to its International Festival of Creativity have been simplified this year, with an entry process that ensures it is clear and easy to navigate. Improvements include a new 10-point entry checklist, designed to guide people through the system more effectively.
This year, there are no new Lions, but subcategories have been revised across some existing Lions in 2017 and amended guidelines will help to outline what the jury will be looking for. The changes to categories affect the following Lions:
- Innovation Lions are where ground-breaking technological solutions are born and two new categories are introduced this year: ‘Technological Craft & Development’ will award the technical prowess behind the ideas, and ‘Early Stage Technology’ offers a space for prototypes and beta stage ideas, providing more opportunities for start-ups to enter their best work.
- Creative Data Lions now aim to recognise the use of creative insight in a more accurate and meaningful way by introducing new categories: ‘Data Strategy’, ‘Data-Driven Targeting’ and ‘Use of Real-Time Data’ and the existing data section within Media Lions has been refined.
- Media Lions have added a new ‘Excellence in Media’ section, which recognises how a media campaign delivered outcomes for a brand through outstanding media strategy, planning and execution.
- Promo & Activation Lions introduce a new ‘Experience’ section for engaging, immersive, face-to-face customer-focused brand experiences with storytelling at the heart.
Simon Cook, director of awards for Cannes Lions, said, “The Lions are developed in partnership with the industry and are in a continual state of review, because it’s vital they continue to reflect current shifts. So this year, there is no new Lion, instead, we’ve focused on our existing awards and made developments to cement their relevance.”
Jose Papa, MD of Cannes Lions, commented, “The work that wins Lions demonstrates the most exciting and innovative progressions in creative communications and sets the standard globally. The awards will always remain the heart of the Festival.”
The Lions are awarded each year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. A creative community of over 15,000 people from around 100 countries attend the Festival, making it the only truly global meeting place for those working in branded communications to connect, share and learn, and celebrate the best creative work.
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