Promo and Activation has highest spike in entries at Cannes

With more than 24,000 entries from 90 countries, the 57th Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival has seen an increase in the number of entries of 7% over last year’s figures.  While Promotion & Activation has seen the highest growth, albeit from a small base, PR Lions follows, again from a small base. Press, Film and Outdoor Lions has seen a decline, but from a large base in overall terms.  

 

"Cannes Lions reflects the communications industry, and these results tell a fascinating story,” says Philip Thomas, CEO, Cannes Lions, adding, “Firstly, of course, they suggest that the industry as a whole is recovering from the distress of 2009 (entries to the Festival were down 20% last year) and indeed they show recovery coming not only from places you would expect like Latin America or India, but also countries like Sweden, Turkey, the UK, France and the USA, all of which have picked up considerably.”

 

He further added, “The figures also show different categories showing differing levels of growth. While some traditional sections are down year-on-year, there are significant increases in Media and Cyber as well as in the newer Cannes Lions sections – especially PR and Promo & Activation which have grown by 32% and 43% respectively. We look forward to welcoming the 12 juries to Cannes where they will take on the daunting task to view, judge, deliberate and honour the best creative work from the world’s communications industry.”

 

While Promo & Activation Lions has seen the highest growth in entries (an increase of 43% over last year, see table below), PR Lions had the second highest growth in entries at an increase of 32% over last year’s figures. Media Lions had the third largest number of entries compared to last year.

 

Although Press Lions has the largest number of entries in overall terms, it has registered a slight decrease in the number of entries over 2009 levels. Film Lions is the other category that has registered a slight drop in entries over last year’s figures. Titanium and Integrated Lions is the other category to have seen a minor decrease over last year in the number of entries. 

 

The Outdoor Lions category has seen a significant drop in number of entries over 2009 figures with a decline of -15%, although in overall terms, the number of entries is significant.