A record 37,427 entries have been submitted for consideration at this year's Cannes Lions awards from 97 countries, despite a drop in traditional categories such as film (which is down 9%), radio (down 7%) and press, which is down a shocking 12% from last year. Lions Festivals CEO, Philip Thomas, believes that the drops in these categories reflect the changing shape of the advertising industry, noting that outdoor entires has overtaken press submissions for the first time ever. There is also a brand new category in the mix this year, in the form of 'Product Design', a category which, “Recognises the applied use of physical products to help a brand communicate its ethos, as well as the product's ability to improve lives.
Lions Festivals CEO, Philip Thomas, believes that the drops some categories reflect the changing shape of the advertising industry
There are 17 categories overall at the industry awards for creative communications, including branded content and entertainment, PR and design. Thomas said that “Overall entries are up close to five percent on last year, and we’re delighted with the response to the inaugural Product Design Lions category as we bring into the Cannes Lions mix a whole new sector,” said Thomas, Festivals. There are 2,757 from the UK this year, with entries in all categories, but the highest number of total entries comes from the US, which has 6,213. The UK is in third place, whereas Brazil is second, with 3,321 entries. Countries in consideration for awards for the first time include Albania, with two entries, Ghana, with five entries, and San Marino, with one.
Philip Thomas
At the festival,which take place from 15th to the 21st of June in Cannes, all work will be judged by 17 international juries, comprising 327 noted figures from 44 countries. Total entries are up 5% on 2013, with entries for the 'Cyber' category up by almost 40%. Thomas says this is down to how the category has been restructured to “Bring it in line with current digital trends to embrace social, branded technology and branded games. "Entries for the PR category have also increased dramatically, with a 43% rise, and there has also been an increase in entries for the design and mobile awards.
Total entries for the festival this year are up 5% on 2013, with entries for the 'Cyber' category up by almost 40%
There has also been a dramatic increase in the amount of money earned from entry-fees this year, with the festival having brought in a staggering $26.2 million, up from $24 million last year. Entry fees do vary depending on the category. The most expensive category is 'Titanium and Integrated', which costs $1,838 per entry and so made $694,000 out of just 378 entries.
Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and musician from Kidderminster in the UK. He once had a rather harrowing experience on the steps of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, but that was a lifetime ago.
