Yes, the games are on. The global ad industry’s glitziest event is now open for registration, at www.canneslions.com. Last year saw record attendance by Manila agencies and clients, but that may dip this year given the times.
Nevertheless, Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Cannes Lions’ local representative, is lining up sponsors and planning events to drum up interest.
The Cannes Lions release puts it well: “Delegates can select a 3-day, 4-day, full-week or full-week-with-companion, providing access to over 50 topical seminars, 25 educative workshops, screenings, exhibitions, 4 award ceremonies, 2 galas and the greatest networking opportunity the industry has to offer.”
What’s the price tag for all this magnificence? Full delegate registration is E2,601.30 (including tax). Smaller packages are available, as low as E687.70 for Young Lions lucky enough to have been born after 27 June 1978 (the site is very specific). Debuting this year is a package specifically for young marketers, perhaps reflecting the popularity of Cannes among client companies.
If you’re not one of the local ad gods, your best bet is to get into the Young Creatives competition (where the Philippine team won a Silver in 2007, the first Asians to do so!). The country’s representative concept team this year will be selected at the Creative Guild’s Kidlat Awards, set for Boracay in March. So start plotting your Kidlat conquest, or you can join the rest of us and kibitz from afar.
