Cannes Lions 2009: Another year ends, and the preparation for Cannes 2010 is here
Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival has completed 56 years. As the Festival closes, Festival organisers express content on the year gone, and already look forward to the year ahead.
The 56th edition of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival has ended on a high note for India, for the global advertising fraternity, and hence for the festival owners as well. Even as India did not manage even a single shortlist in the Titanium and Integrated Lions, the fact that the category is becoming the big ending for the festival was evident this year.
The last day of the festival saw a fully packed hall for the award ceremonies of Film Lions and Titanium and Integrated Lions, and following that was a charged closing gala. The best creative minds of the world were clearly trying to make the most of every minute spent at Cannes --- in the sessions, and in the parties too.
In a conversation with exchange4media, Terry Savage, Chairman, Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, said, “I am very happy with the Festival this year, and the reason for that is that everyone I have spoken to is very happy with the week gone. People have learnt more, and everyone got a chance to see some very good work from across the globe.”
India camp celebrated as much as they could on the last day – two Gold Lions is no small feat and JWT India’s Senthil Kumar has only been treating the Indian creative professionals here.
On Day seven of the festival, some delegates had already left, and many were preparing to leave in the early morning hours of Sunday. Most people exchange4media spoke to, said that it was a week well spent.
Festival CEO Phillip Thomas mentioned to exchange4media that even though the delegates had dropped in number, the attendance from inside the Palais de Festival had not. Thomas had good reason to say that – most of the sessions and seminars were attended by full houses and in some cases, the entries to the seminar hall had to be closed.
As the week gets over, the team is already gearing for Spikes 2009 and for the Cannes Lions debrief, where once again the team will look into every aspect of the festival, connect with all the Jury Presidents for the feedback and begin the preparations for Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival 2010.
