McLean:The International Advertising Festival has renewed its appointment of USA TODAY as the official and exclusive United States representative through 2013.
USA TODAY will continue as one of the 77 exclusive country representatives selected by the International Advertising Festival to promote and market the Cannes Lions within their country. Included under the Cannes Lions banner each year are the twelve global advertising competitions representing advertising and marketing, the Hatchuel Academy, and the Young Lions team competitions for advertising professionals 28 years of age and younger.
Known as the Cannes Lions, the International Advertising Festival is the world’s largest and most prestigious international annual advertising awards. At the recent 57th annual Cannes Lions in June 2010, more than 24,000 entries from throughout the world were showcased and judged for the most creative advertising work in print, interactive, film, film craft, outdoor, radio, design, sales promotion and activation and integrated advertising, as well as the best media, direct marketing, public relations and Titanium concepts. Over 8,000 delegates from 90 countries attended the recent seven day festival.
As the exclusive U.S. representative, USA TODAY will continue its state-wide domestic programming throughout the year showcasing the Cannes Lions to the advertising and creative communities. USA TODAY’s annual national spring competition amongst young advertising professionals will determine Team USA in categories of print, interactive, film and media, with the teams sponsored to compete in Cannes in the Young Lions international competitions. USA TODAY will also continue to nominate U.S. judges to the distinguished Cannes Lions juries as well as recommend jury members to the International Advertising Festival’s Spikes Asia, Eurobest and Dubai Lynx.