The prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity kicked off today in Cannes, France, bringing together the brightest minds in the advertising and creative industries from around the globe. This year, India has made a significant impact across multiple categories, showcasing innovative campaigns and creative excellence. Here is a detailed look at the Indian entries that have made it to the shortlists so far.
India has secured three shortlists in the Glass Lion for Change category with Harpic Loocator - #Befreetopee for Harpic India, Reckitt Benckiser by Tgthr; Project Farm Equal for Lays by Leo Burnett; and Dabba Savings Account for Esaf Small Finance Bank by McCann. The Audio & Radio category also saw three shortlisted entries with Taj Mahal Megh Santoor for Unilever’s Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea by Ogilvy (Use of Audio & Radio as a Medium); Motorola - Deep Connect for Motorola Mobility LLC by Dentsu Creative in two sub-categories - Use of Audio & Radio Technology and Audio-Led Creativity.
In the Film Craft and Entertainment categories, India has one shortlisted entry each with Jindal Steel - The Steel of India campaign for Jindal Steel and Power by Early Man Film Pvt Ltd & Kondurkar Studio; and Erase Valentine’s Day for Cadbury 5 Star, Mondelez by Ogilvy (Integrated Brand Experience) respectively.
The Health & Wellness category secured four shortlists including 3 shortlists from McCann Worldgroup for ‘Fit My Feet’ campaign for Buckaroo, and one from Ogilvy for The Impossible Choice for St. Jude India Childcare Centres.
Indian entries have garnered two shortlistings in the Outdoor category with Ogilvy’s Taj Mahal Megh Santoor for Unilever’s Brooke Bond Taj Mahal Tea - Special Build, and Standard Sites. Print & Publishing Lions category witnessed a remarkable four shortlists, all from VML with different campaigns and subcategories - Seal Alarm for The Times of India by VML/Wunderman Thompson (Media/Entertainment); Turtle Alarm for The Times of India by VML/Wunderman Thompson (Media/Entertainment); Seabird Alarm for The Times of India by VML/Wunderman Thompson (Media/Entertainment); and #UnplasticIndia for The Times of India by VML/Wunderman Thompson (Publications for Good).
The Design category has two shortlisted entries with #UnplasticIndia campaign for The Times of India by VML/Wunderman Thompson (Posters), and Fit My Feet for Buckaroo Footwear by McCann (Medical Products). Three Indian campaigns have made it to the Direct category shortlist this year including Turf Finder for Gatorade by Leo Burnett (Data-Driven Direct Strategy); Fit My Feet for Buckaroo Footwear by McCann (Single Market Campaign); and Motorola - Deep Connect for Motorola Mobility LLC by Dentsu Creative (Break-Through on a Budget).
Three Indian entries have made it to the shortlist in the Entertainment Lions for Music category: Feel the Music for Spotify by Leo Burnett (In partnership with Music Talent); Sing to Remember for Coca-Cola’s Coke Studio by VML in subcategories - Diversity & Inclusion in Music, and Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight. Turf Finder for Gatorade by Leo Burnett (Sports Live Experience) made it to the Entertainment Lions for Sport shortlist.
India has three entries in the Industry Craft shortlist: Taj Mahal Megh Santoor for Unilever’s Brooke bond Taj Mahal Tea by Rapport Outdoor/Ogilvy in Art Direction: Outdoor; Seal Alarm for The Times of India by VML/Wunderman Thompson in Illustration: Print & Publishing; Seabird Alarm for The Times of India by VML/Wunderman Thompson in Illustration: Print & Publishing.
Indian campaigns have secured two spots in the Media Lions shortlist with Taj Mahal Megh Santoor for Unilever’s Brooke bond Taj Mahal Tea by Rapport Outdoor/Ogilvy in Use of Outdoor; and Cos Play for McDonald's by DDB Mudra Mumbai/W+K New York in Social Behaviour & Cultural Insight. In the PR Lions category, India boasts five shortlisted campaigns - Turf Finder for Gatorade by Leo Burnett (Use of Events & Stunts); Sing to Remember for Coca-Cola’s Coke Studio by VML (Single Market Campaign); and Lululemon EOSS campaign for HDFC Bank by FCB Kinnect in 3 subcategories, namely, Use of Events & Stunts, Corporate Purpose & Social Responsibility, and B2B/Consumer Service.
In the Brand Experience & Activation category, India has an impressive 6 shortlisted entries including Period Science for Moms campaign for P&G Whisper by Leo Burnett (Healthcare); Erase Valentine’s Day for Cadbury 5 Star, Mondelez by Ogilvy (Live Brand Experience Or Activation); Fit My Feet for Buckaroo Footware by Mccann in sub-categories Launch/Relaunch and Single-Market Campaign; and Turf Finder for Gatorade by Leo Burnett (Single-Market Campaign). Creative Data Lions got two shortlists for the same campaign - Turf Finder for Gatorade by Leo Burnett in two different sub-categories, these are Data-Enhanced Creativity and Use of Real-Time Data.
No Indian campaigns were shortlisted for the Innovation, Titanium, Pharma, Digital Craft, Social & Influencer Lions, Entertainment for Gaming Lions, and Creative B2B categories. However, India's creative industry has made an impressive showcase at this year's Cannes Lions Festival, with a total of 46 shortlisted entries across various categories so far.
