Cannes Lions 2019: Nominees Speak on the Festival of Creativity and Honoring Excellence

The best time of the year is here again- five days of exploring the value of creativity, learning about new ideas and technologies, network and sharing mutual camaraderie- that’s Cannes Lions for us!

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2019 is all set to kick-start on June 17. It is a time to truly recognize the best work that was delivered efficiently to its audience, along with ensuring that the delegates benefit from an unparalleled content program lineup, presented by some of the most sought-after minds from the marketing community.  

Ever since its first outing in 1954, the Cannes Lions has been a pioneer in uniting the creative communications industry. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that it is the most coveted festival, looked forward by everyone each year.

However, with a few changes announced the last year, such as closure of three Lions – Cyber, Integrated and Promo and Activation and the removal of more than 120 sub-categories from across the Lions, the numbers got impacted by 13%.

This year, with 27 different specialist Lions, based on the 9 Tracks that reflect the breadth of disciplines across the global branded communications industry, it has become easier to navigate and honor creative intelligence. We are expecting the same spirit and vigor to wrap the festival just like the previous years.

In our talk with some of the prominent people from the industry, they take us through their entries, along with their expectations from Cannes 2019. They are all game and looking forward to an amazing time. Have a read..

Gautam Reghunath, EVP & Branch Head- Bangalore, Dentsu Webchutney is over the moon with the agency’s entries- Code Name: Uri, Swiggy’s Voice of Hunger, Flipkart’s Hagglebot and Jaslok Hospital’s Infant CPR. He says, “Dentsu Webchutney is, dare I say, modestly optimistic for our first real foray at Cannes Lions this year. We’ve got our hopes high on campaigns across offices. Digital-first work from India has often found it difficult on the global stage, but here’s hoping we get that business out of the way this year.”

Emmanuel Upputuru, CCO, Cheil India, is equally exhilarated about the campaigns- Samsung Bixby #VoiceForever, Adidas #TheRealKashmir and Adidas ConnectedByColours. He comments, “Cannes is always special for me. But it’s also one of the most anxious week especially when your week is vying with the best in the world. We have a couple of really strong pieces of work on very big brands.

You never know who you are competing with – an ad agency, a media house, a tech-start-up, a giant or a charity like ALS? It’s an open field. But that’s what makes it so exciting now.”

Asking Anish Varghese, Chief Creative Officer at Isobar about his expectations from Cannes 2019 he says, “While there are plenty of categories which we will see winners, I will be keen to see how people explored new age advertising medium to the max with ‘human full’ synergies with technologies, craft and idea; that’s going to inspire me a lot. I am least concerned which brand does it, I will be keen on what they did. I’m also enthusiastic to see meaningful narrative which a brand had initiated, like Her Courage Lessons done by our team.”

Kainaz Karmakar, Group Creative Director at Ogilvy and Mather is all optimistic about India winning numerous Cannes Lions this year. She expresses,“The work that I have been watching tells me that India will bring home some hefty Craft Lions this year.
Glass and Health have always been strong for India, so I am hoping that the trend stays intact. Go India!”

Titus Upputuru, Creative Head at Taproot Dentsu is hopeful for an award at Cannes 2019 with his entries already winning big at two other festivals. He says, “We are grateful that the work that we have entered at Cannes this year has already won at Adfest and at One Show. We are hopeful for a hat-trick. Both the ideas – Dulux Nazar Battu and Dulux Painted by Paint demonstrate fresh thinking and immaculate execution. Nazar Battu breathed new life into a 5000 year old tradition and turned homes into fantastic OOH sites. Painted by Paint is an immersive experience, showing us the wonders that paint can do when we break the boundaries of colour. We are looking forward to winning at Cannes.”

Dooj Ramchandani, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Blink Digital, shares his expectations on the same. He says, “Each year, Cannes Lions gets more and more competitive, making winning that much tougher, yet sweeter. It’s always great to enter Cannes and be exposed to the sheer amount of amazing work from around the world. Whether you win or you don’t, you will always come out feeling more enriched. Here’s hoping it proves to be a good run for us this year and for our clients Amazon Echo and KFC India.”

The attendees are sure to witness a great time as Cannes Lions continues to be the leading global event amongst the world’s creative communications industries. We look forward to our Indian nominees winning numerous accolades! Good luck, folks!