Clio and Brand Storytelling launch new program to celebrate branded entertainment that raises awareness for a cause – now open for entries

International awards competition for the creative business Clio has today announced the launch of Clio Brand Storytelling, a new program in partnership with Brand Storytelling, a B2B media company exclusively built to support and inspire investment in the practice of brand-funded content.

The inaugural Storytelling for Good Award will celebrate branded entertainment and content that promotes or creates awareness for a cause, foundation, organisation and/or political or social issue. The program, open for entries at cliobrandstorytelling.com until December 6, 2019, will culminate with an award presentation during the 2020 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Says Nicole Purcell, president, Clio: “Over the last five years or so, we’ve seen an increase across all of our programs, not just in submissions, but in winning work that highlights cause-related or socially impactful ideas. We took that as a message that the creative community feels its important to advance this type of content and our response was to seek out the right partner to develop a program that really hones in on that sentiment. The 5th annual Brand Storytelling event will be the perfect place to reveal the inaugural winner and express our joint commitment to celebrating branded storytelling created specifically to do good.”

The marketing industry has seen a trend among the world’s leading brands toward focusing more of their attention, budgets and broad reach with consumers on creating meaningful and authentic content that addresses the many important issues facing society today. In fact, a survey conducted earlier this year by The Harris Poll for Participant Media and SoulPancake, in partnership with Brand Storytelling, showed that 36% of marketing executives surveyed projected increased spending in the development of impact entertainment.

Says Rick Parkhill, director of Brand Storytelling: “This award is to inspire audiences by highlighting the most impactful work in branded entertainment and content. By recognising brands and their efforts in this space, we hope to encourage more companies to be committed to purpose as well as profit.”

The winner of the Inaugural Storytelling For Good Award will be presented at Brand Storytelling 2020 on January 23rd at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah. For more information on the program or to submit work, visit www.cliobrandstorytelling.com.