Bill Clinton to speak at Cannes Lions 2012

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced that Bill Clinton, former president of the USA, will speak at the 59th edition of the festival, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Grupo ABC, a Latin American communications organisation.

Grupo ABC has sponsored the Clinton Global Initiative, which aims to convene global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s challenges, since 2009. Clinton will take the stage in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on the evening of 21 June, and deliver a keynote titled 'How Advertising Can Help Build a Better World'.

Nizan Guanaes, chairman, Grupo ABC, commented, "President Clinton and his Foundation show how we can all act in a thorough and efficient way to improve our lives on the planet. He has a very clear view on how new communication tools are essential to provide well-being and fight the greatest deficiencies in the world today. I'm sure that his address at such a fundamental forum as the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will help provide numerous new ideas and social actions."

Terry Savage, chairman, Cannes Lions, remarked, "As has been proven by the superb response to the Cannes Chimera partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, our industry is passionate about uniting together and using its unique skills to make the world a better place. President Clinton’s presence at Cannes Lions reinforces the enormous power this industry has to do good. We are honoured to welcome him to the event."

To register to attend the 59th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, readers can visit www.canneslions.com