Cannes Lions launches Innovation Lions

Cristina Blanaru Creativity, Festivals & Awards

In its 60th year, Cannes Lions is inaugurating The Innovation Lions, a new awards category to honor technology and innovation which lead to the creative idea being possible.

A dedicated jury will select the most pioneering forms of technology including, but not limited to, apps, tools, programs, hardware, products and other radical software which have been developed to help facilitate creative excellence in communications.

Big ideas that are executed using innovative forms of technology such as Nike+ Fuelband, winner of the 2012 Titanium Grand Prix and The Invisible Car, winner of the 2012 Outdoor Grand Prix, are already being recognised and awarded in Cannes (…) Innovation Lions are different. They will pay tribute to the actual technology that is driving the industry forward and making it possible for these incredible award winning ideas to come to fruition, allowing the creative community to communicate with customers in a unique way.

 Terry Savage,

Chairman Lions Festivals.

Entrants will be required to submit a written proposal and proof of concept. All shortlisted entrants will explain their technology to the jury in a 10-minute presentation followed by 10-minutes of questions. After discussion and voting, the jury will award an Innovation Grand Prix and Innovation Lions which will be revealed and presented to the winners at the Tuesday 18 June awards show in Cannes.

Entries can be submitted to Innovation Lions from 24 January until 19 April.

Cannes Lions is the world’s leading celebration of creativity in communications. Founded in 1954, the Festival takes place every June in Cannes, France. As the most prestigious international annual advertising and communications awards, over 34,300 entries from all over the world are showcased and judged at the Festival. Winning companies receive the highly coveted Lion trophy for Film, Print, Outdoor, Interactive, Radio, Design, Promo & Activation, Film Craft, Mobile, Branded Content & Entertainment and Integrated advertising, as well as the best Media, Direct, PR, Titanium and Creative Effectiveness ideas and new technology in communications.

Lions Festivals is the organiser of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Eurobest as well as co-organisers, with its joint venture partners, of Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity, Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity, Festival of Asian Marketing Effectiveness, and the Digital Asia Festival.