The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, one of the world's largest advertising festivals, has announced plans to establish a new "Creative Data" category starting in 2015. According to Ad Age, Cannes Lions CEO Philippe Thomas revealed at the festival's closing in June this year that they were considering the necessity of an award focused on data and ways to link data—including big data—with creative ideas.
The announcement states the Data category will be part of the new "Lions Innovation Festival" (absorbing the existing Innovation Lions), a two-day award program running during the festival opening on June 21, 2015. Entries will be judged on technological solutions, ad tech platforms, and models.
Regarding the Innovation Festival, CEO Thomas stated it will "focus on how data and technology can be powerful catalysts for creativity." The event will also feature discussions and demonstrations.
CEO Thomas also noted that, in addition to data, there were calls for new categories like "shopper marketing" (capturing shoppers), music, and B2B. However, even if these areas are added in the future, they are likely to be incorporated into existing categories. For 2015, only the Creative Data category will be newly established.
Source: Ad Age
Cannes Adds Creative Data Lions to 2015 Awards
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