10 dedicated academies at Cannes Lions 2014

Newsroom Creativity, Training

Cannes Lions offers in 2014 a series of unique training opportunities, allowing attendees to benefit from a learning experience like no other. Following the success of the academy program, three new academies have been launched for 2014, bringing the total number of exclusive learning programs to 10 and offering participants at all career levels – CEOs, CMOs, creatives, young creatives, planners, media executives, students – an exceptional chance to expand knowledge and boost professional prospects.

With Cannes Lions as a backdrop, there is no better time or place for targeted learning opportunities. The world’s greatest industry minds are in one place, for one week, meaning these academies benefit not only from the world-class Festival programme but also from unique targeted sessions and unrivalled networking opportunities. It’s an experience that couldn’t be had anywhere else.

Steve Latham,

Director Talent and Training Lions Festivals

The 10 programs are:

CEO Academy, new program sponsored by LinkedIn – aims to offer CEOs and other business leaders the unique chance to learn insights and guidelines for cultivating a creative organisation. The two-day program will cover: how to create a creative organisation; how to deal with transformation driven by new markets; and learnings from innovations. Professor Jerry Wind of The Wharton School, a Lauder Professor in the Marketing Department and the Director of the SEI Center for Advanced Studies in Management, will deliver the program along with a select group of chief creative officers, chief marketing officers and technologists.

Young Lions Storytelling Academy – new program, sponsored by Starcom MediaVest, is an intensive learning one focusing on art and craft of storytelling and positive impact it can have on brands. It will look at the ecosystem of brands and inspire Young Lions to understand how storytelling can develop and improve them whilst equipping them with the skills to share a brand’s story in the current media landscape. Keith Reinhard, Chairman Emeritus of DDB Worldwide Communications Group, Inc, will serve as academy dean.

Young Planners Academy – new program that focuses on the process of the creative brief, understanding how the planner can deliver value to all stakeholders in the creative process. It is the first planning school designed specifically to teach young agency planners how to uncover creative insight, plan creative strategy and form the kind of relationships with creative people that consistently unlock more creative, more effective work. James Hurman, Founder and Principal of Previously Unavailable, will lead as academy dean with the help of course tutor, Teresa Alpert, Director of Crimea River Ltd.

CMO Aceelerator Program – sponsored by Google and MMA and led by Jim Stengel, the 3 day learning program draws on the extraordinary mix of experience and talent that only Cannes Lions can offer, allowing senior marketing leaders to share the challenges they face with peers and help lead the marketing organisation for the future. Tailored sessions will come from award-winning creatives and marketers, whilst participants will also benefit from one-on-one sessions with Jim Stengel.

Cannes Creative Leaders Program – a program that is at its 5th edition and is made in partnership between the Berlin School of Creative Leadership and Cannes Lions. It lasts 2 weeks, with participants spending the first week at the Berlin School campus and the second one at Cannes Lions, combining the official Festival program of seminars and workshops with tailored and exclusive talks. It teaches people to get true creative excellence out of the teams they lead and focuses on three essential topics: the rapidly-changing creative landscape; the digital and media transformation; and the management of creatives. David Slocum, Faculty Director at the Berlin School, will lead the programme.

Roger Hatchuel Academy – sponsored by Statoil, the course lasts 6 days and brings together 35 students from around the globe, providing them with their own program of unique, tailored sessions along with selected seminars and workshops from the main Festival program. Tim Mellors, Global Creative Head at Grey Group, will serve as Academy Dean, with Clive Challis, Head of the Advertising Course at Central Saint Martins in London leading the course.

Young Creative Academy – program sponsored by Unilever and aimed to young creatives aged 28 and under. It provides a week-long program focused on expanding personal creativity. Participants will develop their creative thinking and learning to validate new ideas and implement innovative thinking. A combination of exclusive presentations from leading creative thinkers, guided sessions in the jury rooms and official Festival seminars provide a unique opportunity. The academy is led by Bob Isherwood who has had a long-standing career in advertising

Young Account Executive Academy –  equips future leaders with the tools they need to lead groundbreaking creativity for their clients. The course focuses on essential topics that include: leading a team; creating a culture of bravery; creating a killer brief; spotting genius idea development; and selling a winning idea. Kevin Allen, Chairman and Founder of re:kap, will tutor the academy.

Young Media Academy – program sponsored by BBC Advertising, lasting a week and designed for media professionals aged 28 years or under, working for media agencies or media owners. It explores the depth and breadth of creative solutions that can be applied across all media channels. Under the guidance of academy dean, Jack Klues, who prior to his retirement was Chairman and CEO of VivaKi, attendees will learn how they can creatively manage the relationship between the idea, the media channel and the client.

Jim Stengel Young Marketers Academy – program sponsored by Dentsu Aegis Network and aimed at professionals working for client marketer companies. It addresses the importance of creativity in communications and provides a bigger picture of a marketer’s role. It is led by Jim Stengel with experts Suzanne Tosolini and Serfi Altun serving as academy tutors. The course will focus on: the case for creativity; communication strategy excellence; best-practice agency-client relationships; and the modern brand.

More information on each academy, costs and eligibility are available on Cannes Lions’ website

The 61st edition of Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is scheduled to take place in Cannes, on June 15-21

Material written by Lucian Talpes