The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity was primarily scheduled to take place from June 22 to 26 in Cannes, France. After the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to all public events in March, the organisers decided to move the festival into autumn, setting a new date in October. Today, a new announcement has been issued, stating that due to impact of the pandemic on consumers and customers around the world the 2020 edition of the festival has been cancelled and the next event will commence next year, June 21 to 25, 2021.
With this decision, the organizers responsible for the Cannes Lions have shown a deep understanding of the needs and wishes of their customers across the marketing, creative and media industries. These have definitely shifted from standard marketing to the need to protect people, to serve consumers with essential items and to focus on preserving companies, society and economies.
“Cannes Lions at its core has always been about creativity and the Lions. We realise that the creative community has other challenges to face, and simply isn’t in a position to put forward the work that will set the benchmark. The marketing and creative industries, in common with so many others, are currently in turmoil, and it’s clear that we can play our small part by removing all speculation about the Festival this year.” – Philip Thomas, Chairman of Cannes Lions
Simon Cook, Managing Director of Cannes Lions stated that they look ahead to a more positive time, but for now Cannes Lions will continue to bring the global creative community together and provide inspiration. “We believe firmly that the Lions continue to offer valuable recognition to that community, and we look forward to celebrating and honouring the work in 2021, when the world will hopefully feel more stable, and our community can give their work the focus it deserves.”
