Jose Papa, Managing Director of Cannes Lions Festival, made redundant

His exit comes after a drop in attendees by 20-25% at Cannes this year, claim sources.

Managing Director of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Jose Papa will step down from his role, since Ascential, the parent company of Cannes Lions, has decided to do away with the position of Managing Director altogether, claimed media reports.

Philip Thomas, CEO of Events, Ascential and Chairman of Cannes Lions will be taking over Papa’s duties.

As per sources, Papa’s exit follows disappointing figures in regards to attendance of the Cannes Lions festival, which are believed to have dropped by 20 to 25 percent even though Papa had striven to steer the company back to its creative roots.

Speaking about Papa’s exit, Thomas said in an email that he was, “genuinely sorry to see him go” and he thanked Papa for his “unwavering commitment to Lions Festivals, and his leadership of the business through such turbulent times.”

Before Papa took up the role in August 2016, he worked with WGSN, the fashion trend forecasting company which is also a part of Ascential.