Liam Fox celebrates talent and success in Cannes

Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox MP, has congratulated the 27 UK creative agencies which together won 90 awards from the Cannes Lions. The UK’s win total made it Europe’s leading territory and the second highest performing in the world behind the United States.

UK agencies won 10% of all awards in each category, on average, up from 9% in 2017 and 2018. The UK was also well represented outside of the awards, sending more than 80 speakers, 25 UK jurors and 40 SMEs to the Cannes Lions to promote the UK as a centre for excellence and review the world’s best creative advertising work.

Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox MP, said:

“I am delighted by the continued success of the UK creative industry at the Cannes Lions this year. It stands testament to the UK’s reputation as a world-class hub for advertising and marketing services, and I congratulate all UK agencies which brought home awards this year.

“The Department for International Trade is an ardent supporter of the UK’s creative offering, and, as global headwinds get stronger and we face a world economic slowdown, we stand ready to help British business succeed abroad in ways that never happened before.

A unique programme of 10 networking events, including bespoke meetings with delegates from China and Korea, ran during the week while approximately 1,000 visitors took part in a special Creativity Is GREAT branded activation space at the Palais, Cannes.

Philip Thomas, Chairman of Cannes Lions and President of Ascential Events said:

“Cannes Lions is the global benchmark for creativity and innovation and we are delighted that the UK has had yet another strong showing. Our partnership with the Ad Association is one we cherish and it is wonderful to see such a joined-up strategy for promoting the UK taking such powerful shape.”

The Department for International Trade, alongside the Advertising Association (AA) and a working group of industry leaders representing the British advertising industry including Channel 4, Clear Channel, Framestore, London & Partners, M&C Saatchi and Newsworks UK, were present at the world’s largest gathering of the creative community.

Chief Executive, Advertising Association, Stephen Woodford, said:

“This was a first-of-its-kind partnership between leading brands in our industry and the Department for International Trade and it shows what can be done when business collaborates in a strategic way with government. With advertising exports up 18% in the latest available annual figures, UK advertising is a great export success story and DIT’s support helps us promote our world-class advertising and marketing services to prospects around the globe.

McCann Worldgroup was the most successful UK agency during the week, bringing home 15 awards. The company, which has offices across the UK and comprises of McCann Bristol, McCann Central, McCann Manchester and MRM/MCcANN, won two Gold Lions, two Silver Lions and 11 Bronze Lions.

Mark Lund, CEO UK Group, McCann Worldgroup, said:

“At McCann Worldgroup we firmly believe that great creativity comes from all over the UK. Our Cannes Lions wins from Bristol and Milton Keynes as well as London show this truth.”

UK advertising exports grew 18% to £6.9bn in 2017, compared with 7% growth for the wider services sector, according to the Advertising Association, while more than 100,000 businesses took steps towards exporting as a result of DIT’s own exporting campaigns.

The above image is from an event at Cannes Lions on leading world class creativity with speakers l to r: Tracy de Groose, CEO, Newsworks; David Pemsel, CEO The Guardian Media Group; Alex Mahon, CEO, Channel 4; Kate Bosomworth, CMO, M&C Saatchi; Mike McGee, CCO, Framestore