Cannes Lions has announced jury presidents for the two categories at the center of the new Lions Innovation festival (June 25-26 during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity). Y&R’s global CEO David Sable will take the reins of the first ever Creative Data Lions while R/GA global chief creative officer Nick Law will be at the helm of the expanded Innovation Lions.
Speaking about the appointments, Cannes Lions Chairman Terry Savage said that both categories would be in the spotlight next year, and selecting the right presidents plays a key role in their success. “The significant planning and consultation which has gone into category development for Lions Innovation demanded equally careful consideration of who would lead judging. In David and Nick we have the epitome of acknowledged, awarded industry innovators and our juries could be in no better hands.”
Sable, inaugural Creative Data Lions Jury President, whose career with Y&R spans almost 40 years, is recognized as an early digital entrepreneur and passionate advocate for storytelling. He views data as instrumental in striking a balance between creativity and innovation to drive stories through the right channels.
“The smart use of data illuminates, enlightens and informs. It helps create. It is not about aggregating numbers–it’s about understanding people. So, when we judge (Creative Data Lions) entries, we will look for a meaningful correlation between the data and its ultimate creative expression. This is going to be an exciting expedition to uncharted ground.”
For over a decade, Innovation Lions jury president Nick Law has led development of many of R/GA’s most innovative and Lion-winning projects; including Nike+ running, Nike+ FuelBand and Beats Music for Beats by Dre. Asked for his view on the role of technology to the industry he said, historically, it had always been used to deliver creativity, but that the Innovation Lions demonstrated that this was shifting.
“Today, thanks to the power and pace of change, we can apply creativity to the technology itself. The Innovation Lions will recognize people at the vanguard of this golden age of possibilities; people whose inventive spirit is changing the world and redefining what it means to have a game-changing idea.”
Together, the awards will showcase the relationship between technology, data and ideas which, said Savage, has driven the industry forward and will continue to be instrumental in its evolution.
“As the home of creativity, we need to explore what the future of that creativity will look like through a dedicated festival like Lions Innovation. But with the Creative Data Lions and Innovation Lions we are celebrating the ground-breaking work which is already leading the charge.”
Entries to the Creative Data and Innovation Lions will open January 22, 2015.
Director John Larigakis Joins Strike Anywhere For His 1st U.S. Spot Representation
Strike Anywhere has added filmmaker John Larigakis to its talent roster, marking his first U.S. commercial representation. He continues to be repped in Canada by production house BOLDLY.
Larigakis first established himself on the agency side of the business where he spent 15 years, including serving as a sr. art director at DDB Canada and then a creative director at 123w before making a seamless transition to directing commercials..
Conceptual and highly art-directed, Larigakis’ style focuses on comedic surrealism grounded in reality. By counterbalancing the outlandish and colorful setting with deadpan performances, the key to his commercials is the metaphorical twist on the core concept, ultimately yielding a funny film. His stylistic vision is often brought to life through custom props, 3D animation, physical comedy, and practical effects to craft imaginative environments and memorable characters.
As a director, Larigakis recently won a Berlin Commercial Award for his work with Extra Gum. He’s also helmed films for brands like Starbucks, Nintendo Switch, Playland, and Sandman Hotels. Throughout his career in advertising, Larigakis has developed work that has won six Cannes Lions, 12 One Show Pencils, six D&AD Pencils, and six Clios.
“I’m a big fan of Strike Anywhere’s approach, their mix of strong advertising and film projects, and most importantly, the team,” remarked Larigakis. “They are genuinely passionate about helping directors grow and develop their careers, and I’m at a stage where I’m excited to continue crafting my skills in new areas.”
Ryan Simon, founding partner of Strike Anywhere, added, “At Strike Anywhere, comedy is key to company growth, and we’re elevating the game by joining forces... Read More