Launching this year, the inaugural Innovation Lions has been designed to reward technologies and innovations. Lions will be awarded to such things as the most innovative platforms, apps, tools, programs, hardware, products, and radical software, amongst others, which allow brands and creatives to communicate with their customers in a new way, or which stand alone as significant innovations in their own right. The Innovation Lion will honour more than a campaign or communications idea. It could be SaaS (software as a service), a new mobile platform, or a revolutionary piece of software that enables a new kind of customer engagement.

The innovations that enter must have a proof of concept. Pre-development ideas/concepts are not eligible; entrants must clearly demonstrate the technology. "We are looking for technology that has already been developed, and is ready to be used as part of a creative execution or launched as a new product or service," says Philip Thomas, CEO of Lions Festivals. Shortlisted entrants will explain and present their technology to the dedicated jury in Cannes, with all sessions being open for delegates to watch.

In another development, The Media Agency of the Year Award has been realigned so that only a media agency or media department of a full service ad agency will be eligible to win the award in the future. Advertising agencies, clients, media owners and others can continue to enter and win a Media Lion but the involvement of the media agency or media department will become a mandatory field on the entry form. "The reality is that Media Lions should reward tactical media planning and placement and these changes will reflect that," says Terry Savage, chairman of Lions Festivals.

From this year, the Palme d'Or Award, presented to the best Production Company, will also take into account points accumulated for shortlisted and winning entries in the Branded Content & Entertainment category in addition to those earned in the Film and Craft Categories.

An outstanding line-up of jury presidents and jurors are set to meet in Cannes to judge entries into the 60th anniversary Festival, which this year takes place between 16-22 June. All of the winners will be revealed and announced across four Awards Ceremonies which will happen throughout the Festival week:
Monday 17 June - Creative Effectiveness, Direct, PR and Promo & Activation Lions Awards
Tuesday 18 June - Innovation, Media, Mobile and Outdoor Lions Awards
Wednesday 19 June - Cyber, Design, Press and Radio Lions Awards
Saturday 22 June - Branded Content & Entertainment, Film, Film Craft, and Titanium & Integrated Lions Awards

All entries, across all categories, will be available to view in the Palais des Festivals at screenings and in interactive kiosks, providing delegates with an unbeatable opportunity to see over 30,000 pieces of creative advertising and communication from across the globe. All of the shortlisted and winning work will also be exhibited and screened throughout the Festival offering an abundance of inspiration to all delegates.

Further information on how to submit work, including tips from the jury room and category assistance, can be found online at www.canneslions.com/awards.

Key dates:

Creative Effectiveness Lions entries: Open (by invitation only)
All other entries: open
Creative Effectiveness Lions entry deadline: 1 March 2013
All other entries deadline: 28 March 2013
Delegate registration: Open
60th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity: 16-22 June 2013