RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES FOR CANNES LIONS 2008 – AUSTRALIAN ENTRIES UP 31%

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Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Cannes ceremony-new-SMALL.jpgOver 28,000 entries from 85 countries will be competing for the coveted Lions at the Cannes Lions 55th International Advertising Festival next month, an increase of 10.2% versus last year. Without taking into account the new Design Lions category, the increase is 5.8%.

“We are seeing strong growth right across the categories and right across the world,” said Philip Thomas, Festival, Chief Executive Officer. “This is the fifth year in a row that we have seen record entries into Cannes, another indication that agencies and clients across the world are embracing creativity and wishing to showcase their work at a global level at the Festival.”

 “From Australia’s perspective we’re delighted total entries are up 31% to 822. Even more pleasing is the growth in media entries to a total of 70, up a massive 46% against 48 last year,” said Garth Agius, Group Director of Marketing: Advertising and Integration, News Limited. “This should place Australia in an excellent position to win at Cannes, recognising our country’s talent and showcasing their great work.”

“The launch of Design has been particularly exciting. When we launch a new section at Cannes, there is clearly a minimum number of entries that make it a worthwhile thing to do, and a worthwhile global competition to take part in. Design has outstripped even our most optimistic estimates; with over 1,100 entries it has established itself, in year one, as a major trophy to compete for, and will be a major Lion to win,” said Thomas.                                      

Picture 116.pngMuch of the growth has once again come from the newer categories, with Promo, Media and Titanium & Integrated particularly strong. But the more established categories are also buoyant – there is growth in Press and Outdoor, and Film has reversed a three-year trend of decline, mainly due to the Film section being expanded this year to include categories for films created for transmission on screens other than TV and cinema.

As expected, there is much activity from the booming regions of the world with The Middle East, China, Russia, and India all showing spectacular growth. But there are also more entries from more established players, such as the USA, UK, Germany, Spain, and Brazil which have all grown in entries this year.

Download the list of entries per country: