The prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has kicked off its 70th edition with a thrilling Awards Show. The creativity event honors exceptional creative achievements in various categories, including Health & Wellness, Outdoor, Pharma, Print & Publishing, and Radio & Audio Lions. Let me bring you the exciting news of the first winners announced at this year’s festival, highlighting groundbreaking campaigns and the historic achievements of entrants from Armenia and Nigeria.
Historic Wins for Armenia and Nigeria
The 70th edition of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity made history as entrants from Armenia and Nigeria became the first to bring home Lions for their respective countries. Armenia wins the Bronze Lions for Sound Design in Radio & Audio Lions Category for their audio drama ‘The End’ which is issued in public interest and produced by TastesLikeBlue agency based in Yerevan and New York. At the same time, Nigeria wins the Bronze Lions in the Non-profit / Foundation-led Education & Awareness Lions Category for their creative for The Extra Step Initiative named ‘The Soot Life Expectancy’ by creative agency X3M IDEAS based in Lagos. These groundbreaking achievements mark a significant milestone in the global creative landscape, showcasing the diverse talent and innovative ideas emerging from these nations.
Other Remarkable Victories in Outdoor, Print & Publishing, Radio & Audio, Health & Wellness, and Pharma Lions
Outdoor Lions: The Outdoor Lions category celebrated creativity experienced out of home, and among 1938 entries, 59 Lions were awarded. The Grand Prix was awarded to ‘A British Original’ by Uncommon Creative Studio, London for British Airways. This campaign brilliantly captured the essence of travel with witty responses to the question ‘What is the purpose of your visit?’ The jurors were impressed by the campaign’s ability to connect with people emotionally and geographically.
Print & Publishing Lions: The Print & Publishing Lions, honoring creativity in circulation, received 814 entries, and 26 Lions were awarded. The Grand Prix went to ‘Newspapers Inside The Newspaper Edition’ by Impact BBDO, Dubai, for AnNahar Newspaper. This thought-provoking campaign revived publications that were silenced due to political pressures, showcasing the eternal innovation and resilience of the publishing industry.
Radio & Audio Lions: Celebrating creativity in sound, the Radio & Audio Lions category received 715 entries, resulting in 22 Lions being awarded. The Grand Prix was clinched by ‘Phone It In’ campaign by Colenso BBDO, Auckland for telecommunications company Skinny, New Zealand. This captivating campaign demonstrated the power of audio storytelling and its ability to engage audiences.
Health & Wellness Lions: The Health & Wellness Lions, honoring creativity for personal well-being, received 1297 entries, with 37 Lions being awarded. The Grand Prix went to ‘The Last Performance’ by Special, Auckland, for Partners Life. This disruptive campaign challenged preconceived notions around life insurance, urging individuals to take action and embrace a more secure future.
Pharma Lions: The Pharma Lions, celebrating life-changing creativity, received 354 entries, and 13 Lions were awarded. The Pharma Grand Prix was awarded to ‘Scrolling Therapy’ for Eurofarma by Dentsu Creative Buenos Aires / New York / Chicago. This innovative campaign demonstrated the potential of technology to improve patient experiences and transform the healthcare industry.
Final Thoughts
The first winners at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity’s 70th edition have set the creative bar high, showcasing outstanding campaigns that captivate and inspire. These pioneering achievements from Armenia and Nigeria, alongside remarkable victories in Outdoor, Print & Publishing, Radio & Audio, Health & Wellness, and Pharma Lions, exemplify the incredible talent and innovation present in the global creative industry. Stay tuned with us for more updates as the festival continues, with winners being announced during the course of the event from 19-23 June 2023.
