A message from the Ukrainian Rep to the Cannes Lions community

The Cannes Lions team shared a message from Konstantin Kuznyetsov – the Ukrainian festival representative – with fellow representatives (the Advertising Association is the UK rep). 

To the creative community all over the world,

You may know that the Russian Federation has initiated a full-scale war against Ukraine. The Russian military has attacked different parts of the country, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the civilians joining the territorial defense squads are heroically resisting the occupant. They protect Ukraine with hearts full of love for all Ukrainians who did not survive the invasion and those still alive and fighting. Please remember we also defend democratic values and human lives in Europe.

Russian disinformation is spreading at the speed of light. The information operations can be as deadly as military operations. This outrageous hybrid war must be stopped! And the creative community CAN HELP!

We believe Russians themselves can stop Putin before it becomes everyone’s concern. And we are also sure that you can create compelling graphics and other communication that will let Russians – civilian and military – open their eyes to the brutal truth of the Kremlin’s atrocities and ultimately stop Putin’s insanity!

WE ALL HAVE TO REALIZE THAT IT’S NOT JUST UKRAINE’S WAR.
IF NOT STOPPED NOW WITH SOFT POWER, THIS COULD SOON BECOME EVERYONE’S WAR

What can you do?

You’ve got much more influence than you think.
When we all spread messages that creativity matters, we truly believe it does.

Today, your voice is vital for stopping Putin. Create social media campaigns, involve influencers, make videos and posters, social media content – to be seen by regular Russians, motivating them to stop Putin.

If you are representing an agency, you may consider sharing this information among the brands distributed/sold in Russia. Event agencies can organize art activities, concerts, plays. PR agencies could reach out to local celebrities, opinion leaders and media.

We assure you, we are doing our best too. But we need your help NOW. As you would assume, it is much more productive to create outside of bomb shelters, with a stable internet connection and while one isn’t witnessing death from shooting or shelling in their backyard.

We’re calling the creative community to stand with Ukraine these days. Your support would be invaluable to us and the rest of the world.

For any inquiries, please email: ciau@creativity.ua

Additionally:

Please, follow and share information about the real situation in Ukraine among your friends from official and reliable sources and of course, join the rallies against the Russian Federation in your city!

Here you can see the schedule of the rallies: https://www.stopputin.net

RU/UA/EN Official Government Websites:
Office of the President – https://www.president.gov.ua/en
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ukraine – https://mfa.gov.ua/en
Ministry of Defence – https://www.mil.gov.ua/en/

Official Government Social Media Pages & Channels:
Office of the President of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/president.gov.ua
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/KabminUA
Ministry of Defense of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/MinistryofDefence.UA
Ministry of Internal Affairs https://www.facebook.com/mvs.gov.ua
National Police of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/UA.National.Police
State Emergency Service (SES) https://www.facebook.com/MNS.GOV.UA
State Border Guard Service of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/DPSUkraine
Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security https://www.facebook.com/StratcomCentreUA
State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/dsszzi
Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/UkrainianLandForces
Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine https://www.facebook.com/navy.mil.gov.ua
Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces https://www.facebook.com/TerritorialDefenseForces

Faithfully yours,

Konstantin Kuznyetsov

Member of the Board, Creative Industries Association (CIAU)
Official Cannes Lions Representative in Ukraine
Co-founder, Creativity Days Ukraine
www.ciau.org.ua
www.creativity.ua