Are you gearing up for this year’s Cannes Lions? As an event staffing agency, we’ve had the opportunity to be part of some of the world’s most influential events.
One that always stands out is the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. From the striking Cannes backdrop to the presence of tech leaders – it’s an unmissable event. Here we’ll talk about the history and evolution of Cannes Lions, and why it is the place to be.
Where It All Began
In 1954, a group of cinema advertising professionals gathered in Venice with a bold vision: to create a festival that celebrated the best in advertising and creativity. Inspired by the success of the Cannes Film Festival, they decided to launch their own, calling it the International Advertising Film Festival.
After moving several times, the festival settled on the French Riviera in 1984. This time, under its current name: Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. It started small, with only a few hundred entries, all focused-on film advertising. But that small start laid the foundation for what would grow into a global phenomenon.
The Evolution of Cannes Lions: From Cinema to Digital Powerhouse
As media and technology changed, so did Cannes Lions. What began as a celebration of film advertising quickly expanded to include print, radio, and later, digital and social media.
The rise of digital advertising in the early 2000s marked a turning point, leading to the addition of categories like content marketing, branded entertainment, and AI-driven campaigns.
Fast forward to today, Cannes Lions now boasts over 30 distinct categories and attracts thousands of participants from over 90 countries globally. This includes top advertising agencies, global brands, tech giants, and disruptive innovators.
But the Cannes Lions is more than an awards show – it’s a platform for thought leadership, keynote speeches, networking opportunities and more. Each year, it sets the tone for groundbreaking innovations that reshape creativity. This makes it the perfect stage for brands to activate and elevate their presence.
Iconic brands like Apple, Nike, and Google have now won Lions. This is seen as the ultimate achievement to showcase your industry leadership and innovation.
What sets Cannes Lions apart is how it keeps up with the changing world. Recent years have seen a focus on sustainability, purpose-driven marketing, and authentic storytelling. Organisers now recognise campaigns that drive change, not just sales.
Elevate Global’s Ongoing Participation at the Cannes Lions
This year marks our fourth consecutive year supporting activations at Cannes Lions. We know the importance of having the right temporary staff in place – people who represent your brand authentically and make sure every activation runs smoothly.
Recently, we’ve been proud to support activations for some of the world’s leading tech giants like Meta, TikTok, Pinterest, Netflix and more.
Plus, with Impact, our brand intelligence platform, we’ve helped past clients track the ROI of their events, ensuring they can optimise every moment.
Make Your Brand Stand Out at Cannes Lions
Planning to activate at Cannes Lions? We’re here to help! Our network of engaging Brand Ambassadors is ready to ensure your activation is a success.
From tailored staffing to smooth execution, we’ve got the experience to make sure your brand leaves a lasting impression. Contact us today to discuss how we can work together at Cannes Lions.
- Elevate Global
