Cannes Lions announces changes to Palme d’Or and introduces new Media Network of the Year Award and Regional Networks of the Year Awards

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is introducing a number of changes to some of its Special Awards which are based on points accumulated from shortlisted and award winning work presented at the Festival.  

The Palme d’Or award, presented to the best performing Production Company, will see changes introduced to bring it in-line with the other special awards. The calculation will continue to be based on a points system awarded as follows: 10 points for a Grand Prix; 7 points for a Gold Lion; 5 points for a Silver Lion; 3 points for a Bronze Lion; 1 point for a shortlist entry.

The changes being introduced are:

• Production companies no longer have to have at least 10 entries in the qualifying categories –  Film, Film Craft and Branded Content & Entertainment – to be eligible for the Palme d’Or.

• The Palme d’Or will now consider all shortlisted and winning entries from a Production Company.  In previous years, only the best 10 entries from each production company were considered.

• Shortlisted points will now be capped at 10 points, which is in line with the existing Agency of the Year rules.

Says François Chilot, president of CFPE/YDA: “We welcome these positive changes to the Palme d’Or award as they will allow exposure to more producers throughout the world.”

The Media Agency of the Year Award will be replaced by the Media Network of the Year award. It will be awarded to the media agency network that obtains the highest score for entries in the Media Lions section. Only media agencies are eligible to compete in this award, which will be based on a points system as above. Advertising agencies credited on shortlisted and winning campaigns in Media Lions will see their points included in the Agency of the Year and Independent Agency of the Year calculation.

Says Daryl Lee, global CEO of UM: “Having a Media Network of the Year is extremely smart and fair. It is an exciting and welcome innovation to Cannes.”

Complementing the global Network of the Year award, for the first time the performance of networks at a regional level – Regional Network of the Year award- will be announced during the final awards ceremony on Saturday 21 June, to honour the most awarded network at the festival in EMEA, Asia-Pacific, North America and LATAM.

Says Terry Savage, chairman of Lions Festivals: “As is our usual process when introducing changes at Cannes Lions, we consult extensively with industry leaders to ensure that we continue to be relevant and reflect the changes that are happening in the business around the world. These adjustments to the calculations of the Special Awards are no exception, and as such we are delighted to have the support and endorsement of the key players.”

The Media Network of the Year will be revealed in Cannes during the awards on Tuesday 17 June. Holding Company of the Year, Network of the Year, Regional Networks of the Year, Independent Agency of the Year, Agency of the Year, Palme d’Or and Grand Prix for Good will all be announced on 21 June,  the last day of the festival, during the final awards.

Entries for Cannes Lions 2014 can be submitted until 28 March at www.canneslions.com 61st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the largest and most prestigious communications awards and gathering of industry peers from around the globe takes place 15-21 June at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.

The 61st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, the largest and most prestigious communications awards and gathering of industry peers from around the globe takes place 15-21 June at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.