M&C Saatchi Australia innovation director Ben Cooper picked for Cannes Innovation Lions jury
As preparations continue for the launch of Lions Innovation (the new festival exploring data and technology as catalysts for creativity, during Cannes Lions), juries for the two categories to form its associated awards have been announced. The distinguished panels assembled for the inaugural Creative Data Lions and newly expanded Innovation Lions are reflective of industry shifts and provide a strong indication of what to expect from judging.
Launched in 2013, the Innovation Lions are distinguished by a requirement that shortlisted entries be presented live to the jury during the festival, where the work and the makers are questioned.
The 2015 Innovation jury:
Nick Law, Global Chief Creative Officer, R/GA, Global – Jury President
Ben Cooper (pictured), Group Innovation Director, M&C Saatchi, Australia
Kana Nakano, Creative Technologist, Dentsu, Japan
Xavi Tribó, Head of Technology, Glassworks Barcelona, Spain
Frances Ralston-Good, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, PHD Media, UK
Ben Jones, Chief Technology Officer, AKQA, UK
Shaun McIlrath, Global Executive Creative Director, iris Worldwide, Global
Alex Gurevich, Partner, Javelin Venture Partners, Global
Giuseppe Zocco, Partner, Index Ventures, Global
Peter Blackshaw, Global Head of Digital & Social Media, Nestlé, Global
Lions Festivals chairman, Terry Savage, says this format and the expansion of the category this year to include standalone and brand-affiliated tech, called for a highly interdisciplinary jury, able to challenge entries from multiple angles. “Originality, creativity, viability and marketability will all be interrogated, so an array of experience is needed and each juror brings unique understanding and insights to the table.”
The Creative Data Lions are new in 2015 and the composition of the founding jury, which unites the industry’s most senior data, strategy and analytics specialists and its most awarded creatives, is a barometer for entries.
“Data is increasingly an integral component of awarded campaigns, but in this category that won’t be enough to win,” says Lions Festivals corporate development director, Rob Dembitz. “Our judges keenly understand and use the power of data to drive creativity, and will be seeking work where it is genuinely at the core of the idea.”
The 2015 Creative Data jury:
David Sable, Global Chief Executive Officer, Y&R, Global – Jury President
Tash Whitmey, Group Chief Executive Officer, Havas EHS, UK
Todd Cullen, Chief Data Officer, Ogilvy & Mather, Global
Mitch Brandow, EVP, Engagement Strategy & Analytics, Energy BBDO, USA
Russell Marsh, Global Chief Data Officer, IPG Mediabrands, Global
Haruko Minagawa, Touchpoint Evangelist, Hakuhodo and TBWA Hakuhodo, Japan
Tom Eslinger, Worldwide Digital Creative Director, Saatchi & Saatchi, Global
Andre Pasquali, Creative Vice President, Rapp, Brazil
Eric Salama, Chief Executive Officer, Kantar, Global
Alexander Schill, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, Serviceplan Group, Germany
Arvind Sethumadhavan, Chief Innovation Officer, Dentsu Aegis Network, Asia Pacific
Both categories are now open and submissions will be accepted until 27 March 2015. Shortlisted Innovation Lions entries are announced prior to the festival and exhibited alongside shortlisted Creative Data entries during Lions Innovation, 25 – 26 June. Winners from both categories will be revealed at the Lions Innovation awards ceremony on Friday, 26 June. Passes to Lions Innovation are now available and may be purchased at an Early Bird rate of €950 until Friday, 13 February.