‘Make History’. It invokes feelings of inspiration, aspiration and symbolises the big wins, and the pivotal industry milestones, but ‘Make history’ is also about people and progress. It represents the awe inspiring human stories that sit behind the Lions awarded at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity For instance, the Glass Lions Jury welcomed its 11th member, newborn Olivia, daughter of juror Raphaella Martins Antonio who attended every judging session. Returning Jury President Cindy Gallop confirmed that, "cute little noises of assent or dissent regularly popped up during the judging process,". A welcome first for the Lion for Change. Moments before the first awards ceremony, backstage buzzed with the creation of a large flag, ensuring that Iceland's first Lion winners could proudly represent their country and historic win to the world. Congratulations to Brandenberg Reykjavik, and thanks to the CL Awards Team for going the extra mile, enabling them to literally 'fly the flag' for Iceland. This year's jury proudly represented Armenia, Pakistan, Panama and Ghana for the first time. Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh, Ghana's inaugural juror, anticipated, "I look forward to making my country proud," a sentiment echoed by the President of Ghana who celebrated her historic appointment across social. Kazakhstan's official Cannes Lions Representative, pledged 13 years ago not to shave until Kazakhstan won its first Lion. Last week, Askhat Uskembayev stood proudly alongside winners GForce on stage, his waist-length beard intact. I can neither confirm nor deny whether it accompanied him back to Kazakhstan!👀 Diego Machado, Jury President and Brazilian Global CCO, shared a reflection: a decade ago, as a Young Lions Winner, he attended the inaugural Innovation Lions awards ceremony, witnessing then President David Droga present the first awards. 10 years later, standing on that same stage, he experienced a full circle moment—Emphasising the imperative of nurturing the NEXT generation of creative talent Emotions ran high at the Young Lions Winners announcement, as Asia swept the Media Category, with South Korea, Japan, and China taking home Bronze, Silver, and Gold respectively—Future jurors, presidents and industry leaders in the making As we conclude Cannes Lions for another year, let's celebrate the many firsts, and the firsts of many - and acknowledge those who are paving the way for others Congratulations to everyone in the making, and thank you to all who came together to Make History—whether achieving mighty milestones or creating moments of progress, large or small A heartfelt thanks to the smart, kind and creative humans across LIONS, including Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, WARC, Contagious, Acuity Pricing (formerly Brand View) and our many business partners who make it all happen… I must say, I’m frankly in awe of the magic you make 🙏🏼 Video: Young Lions Media Gold Winners, Jiayu Cao and Linghui Dai
Creativity needs champions. Thank you Lions, for bringing us together. 🙏🙏
Kudos to YOU, Simon and team, for all the amazing work you do for our industry ❤️
Congrats Simon Cook. Everything I’ve heard has been that this was an exceptional episode. Knowing better than most the efforts and lengths you and the team go through to create unique personal moments in history for thousands of people, it’s been amazing to see what you all delivered. Bring on 2025.
Simon Cook what an honor! I had so much fun doing this. Thank you to Lisa for finding me and thank you for the warmth you showed me. Looking forward to our next meet!
A film played on my mind during the walk to the stage. 2024 was truly special. Thank you.
What magic, what stories - this is brilliant to read.
Love this! Thanks for sharing. And congrats china ;)
Magic - just magic Simon Cook ♥️
Which countries haven’t? Is Cambodia one?
Creativity / Marcom / Cannes Lions / Heavy Metal / Drums / Beard
2moSimon Cook I am so grateful to you and fantastic Cannes Lions team for making this magic happen. The "Shaving the beard" event will happen in Sep. It will take time to prepare a proper good-bye to a 13-year old story. But I doubt it will happen without you, Philip Thomas, Steve Latham and other team members at Cannes Lions. You are invited as I promised many times before. Details will follow. Peace.