LONDON, May 27, 2014 - (ACN Newswire) - The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the world's most prestigious awards and festival for the creative communications industry, will this year take its shortlist exhibitions into the digital realm with Microsoft acting as its Technology Innovation Partner. The three year collaboration aims to bring delegates' digital festival experience to life across Microsoft's devices and services.
Throughout the week, as the 17 juries vote on thousands of pieces of creative work, exhibitions of the shortlisted and winning work will go on display inside the Palais des Festivals for delegates to view. For the first time, running alongside the exhibition boards and product showcases, the Direct, Promo & Activation, Media, PR, Design, Product Design and Mobile Lions categories will be displayed on Microsoft devices (Surface tablets and Windows Phones) running Microsoft Windows 8.1, allowing for a truly interactive experience.
"At Microsoft, our aim is to create services and devices that help people be in moments that matter - and for the creative communications industry, no moment matters more than the Cannes Lions Awards, so it is a natural fit," said Frank Holland, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Advertising & Online division. "Technology is changing our industry, from delivering consumer insights that inform effective creative advertising, to supporting seamless multimedia campaigns at scale. As a global leader in digital advertising technology, we feel there is no better event for us to showcase what we can do than the Cannes Lions Awards."
Philip Thomas, CEO of Cannes Lions, comments, "We are delighted to welcome Microsoft back to Cannes Lions once again in 2014, this time in their new capacity as the Technology Innovation Partner for the festival. Enhancing the exhibitions with digital displays will create a truly interactive experience whilst showcasing some of the greatest creative work in the world."
Cannes Lions takes place from 15-21 June in Cannes, France. Anyone wishing to register as a delegate or find out more about the awards and content programme should visit www.canneslions.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
The International Festival of Creativity, also known as 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 35,500 entries from all over the world are showcased and judged at the Festival. Winning companies receive the highly coveted Lion trophy, a global benchmark of creative excellence, for Film, Print, Outdoor, Interactive, Radio, Design, Product Design, Promo & Activation, Film Craft, Mobile, Branded Entertainment and Integrated advertising, as well as the best Media, Direct, PR, Titanium, Creative Effectiveness and Innovation ideas.
The Festival is also the only truly global meeting place for advertisers, advertising and communication professionals. More than 12,000 delegates from 95 countries attend a week-long programme of exhibitions, screenings and talks by worldwide thought leaders. As the networking and learning opportunity of the year, Cannes Lions is the must-attend event for anyone involved in brand communications. For further information, please visit www.canneslions.com.
About Lions Festivals
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. www.lionsfestivals.com. Lions Festivals is powered by Top Right Group.
Source: Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
Contact:
Amanda Benfell Head of Press & PR, Lions Festivals Tel: +44-20-3033-4000 E-mail: amandab@canneslions.com Micha Sprinz michas@microsoft.com Tel: +33-1-5775-1074 Joe Walton JWalton@webershandwick.com Tel: +44-207-067-0511
Copyright 2014 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.
