A ‘new’ Rebrandt painting created by AI, a VR news app and a heart warming animated film Justino have scooped the some of the top digital awards at this year’s Cannes Lions fesatival.
Cannes Lions has announced the winners of the Innovation, Mobile, Media, Creative Data and Cyber Lions.
This series of awards honoured the convergence of technology, data and creativity, celebrating future-focused ideas that drive business growth.
From 1259 entries, 62 Lions were awarded in Mobile and the Grand Prix was claimed by “NYT VR” executed by T Brand Studio for The New York Times.
The VR campaign, a partnership with Google, GE and Mini, is a defining moment for mobile and demonstrates how this discipline can support a 165-year-old news brand to thrive.
“It went beyond the initial wow factor to unlock levels of empathy and excitement no other medium could,” said Jury President, Malcolm Poynton, Global Chief Creative Officer, Cheil Worldwide.
Cyber gained 2886 entries and presented 91 Lions. In response to the exemplary level of submissions this year, two Grands Prix were awarded to “The Next Rembrandt” for ING, by J. Walter Thompson, Amsterdam and “Justino” for Loterias y Apuestas del Estado, by Leo Burnett, Madrid. Both pieces of work show examples of seamlessly integrated technology. Jury President, Chloe Gottlieb, SVP, Executive Creative Director, R/GA, said, “With Justino, we see magical storytelling that evolves and builds across social media, while The Next Rembrandt demonstrates how rather than an output, data and code can be the starting point for creativity.”
381 entries were received in Innovation and 9 Lions were awarded. The Grand Prix went to “Google DeepMind AlphaGo” by Google Deepmind London, a project that challenges the potential of artificial intelligence. “Alpha Go,” said Jury President, Emad Tahtouh, Director, Applied Technology, Finch, “is complicated and advanced, but also beautiful and simplistic in its approach.”
The Creative Data category received 715 entries and presented 40 Lions. It awarded a second Grand Prix to “The Next Rembrandt” for ING. The project brings a new dimension to data collection and visualisation. Jury President, Tash Whitmey, Group Chief Executive Officer, Havas helia, said, “It evoked powerful feelings in each member of the jury, it made us excited and scared in equal measure. It shows that where there is creativity in working with data, you can achieve almost anything.”
Media received 2984 entries and 97 Lions were awarded. The Grand Prix went to “McWhopper” for Burger King by Y&R NZ, Y&R Media NZ and David Miami. “This is brilliant work, brilliantly executed from a big brand taking on an even bigger competitor. It uses media to layer and whip up the story to provoke a fierce reaction,” said Jury President, Nick Waters, Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, Dentsu Aegis Network.
And finally, co-founder and CEO of VICE, Shane Smith, received the Media Person of the Year award, which recognises a leading personality from the worldwide media industry. Smith transformed Vice into a global multimedia youth brand and recently launched cable TV channel Viceland, alongside Spike Jonze.
Lions Entertainment, a new two-day programme dedicated to unskippable creativity, kicks off tomorrow, bringing award-winning stars of screen, sport and music to the stage. John Cena, will be in conversation with WWE chief brand officer and TV personality, Stephanie McMahon and Leslie Moonves, President, Chairman and CEO of CBS Corp, will open the event with Medialink CEO Michael Kassan.