UK agencies have picked up 12 finalist places in the Cannes Lions promotional marketing category – one better than the Direct Lions – in what many perceive as the ‘hidden awards’ of the Cannes festival.
Just like in the direct marketing category revealed earlier today, specialist promotional agencies are thin on the ground, with ad shops once again dominating the shortlist.
Along with direct marketing, sales promotion is somewhat of a dirty phrase along the Boulevard de la Croisette in the French seaside resort, with most delegates – let alone marketing magazines – believing the awards do not even warrant a mention. That is, of course, until they win.
Out of 260-plus firms on the final list, BBH picked up four nominations, for its Lynx work, OgilvyOne picked up two for its activity for chocolate brand Beyond Dark, as did Google for Google+.
VCCP (Comparethemarket), Publicis (DePaul Trust), DLKW Lowe (Persil), and Stink Digital (Diageo Red Stripe) all received one finalist each.
The results for the Promo and Activation Lions will be published tomorrow (June 18) morning.
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