Cannes Lions appoints Advertising Council Australia as national representative

Advertising Council Australia (ACA) – the peak body for Australia’s leading advertising agencies – has been appointed as the official representative of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in Australia. ACA takes over from former reps The Misfits, publisher of B&T, after a five year stint.

The strategic partnership will see ACA join an international network that sets benchmarks for creative excellence and innovation in advertising.

ACA will play a key role in supporting local agencies and clients, nominating jury members, organising the Young Lions competition, and hosting events and screenings of Lion-winning work throughout the year.

Says Tony Hale (pictured above right), CEO, Advertising Council Australia: “Partnering with Cannes Lions is the natural progression in ACA’s established program of work to champion creativity. With the industry going through such disruption and change, it is essential that we develop greater confidence in creativity’s ability to generate growth across all aspects of business.

“We are thrilled with the partnership and the natural synergies between our pillars and the roles of WARC and Contagious, and look forward to collaborating with Cannes Lions over the coming years.”

Ed Pank (above left), managing director, WARC APAC and SVP Lions Division, is currently in Australia for WARC’s ‘Creative Impact Unpacked’ event series in Sydney and Melbourne. The exclusive sessions for senior brand marketers aim to demystify marketing effectiveness in an ever-evolving landscape.

Commenting on the appointment while in Sydney, Pank said: “To be represented locally by one of the most credible and authoritative bodies in Australian advertising is a great fit for Cannes Lions. We look forward to collaborating with the ACA team across all the LIONS brands, including WARC and Contagious, to push the boundaries of creative marketing that matters in this key market for the business.”

Says Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS: “For over 70 years, Cannes Lions has served as a convening force for the global creative community, and we are delighted to now be able to offer that community the unique expertise from Advertising Council Australia. There is so much creative talent in the region, and we look forward to welcoming that talent, along with their ideas and energy, to the festival.”