Publicis Groupe has responded to the cost-reduction efforts of the Cannes Lions 2018 organisers by announcing it will return to the show – but not until 2019.
Publicis Groupe ceo Arthur Sadoun, who had banned all Publicis worldwide agencies – including Saatchi & Saatchi NZ – from entering any awards in an effort to cut costs, confirmed that the company will return after an 18-month hiatus.
However, he said the company will skip Cannes in 2018 and not return until 2019. He said the company preferred to support its own Viva Tech conference in Paris next year.
Agency networks in the group include Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis Worldwide, BBH, Marcel, Fallon, MSLGroup and Prodigious.
In a statement, Sadoun said: “Ascential’s decision to re-centre the Cannes Lions’ focus around creativity is commendable, and Publicis Groupe is looking forward to attending the festival in 2019.
“We are pleased that our decision to refocus our investments for 12 months in order to create the platform of the future has inspired a larger discussion in the industry, leading to what are clearly some positive changes.
“Publicis Groupe has always been a driving force for innovation, and we remain strongly focused on and committed to creative excellence. Viva Tech 2018 will be a real celebration of transformative ideas and initiatives and a fitting precursor to our return to industry events from September 2018.”
Share this Post
