In reaction to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity announced it will postpone its original June 22 through 26 dates and now plans to hold the festival October 26 through 30. Organizers said that passes, sponsorship arrangements, and bookings will roll over and remain valid on the new dates.
“The decision comes following much deliberation with our partners and customers, as well as, consultation with public health officials, the mayoral office of Cannes and the French Authorities,” read a statement.
“Although we have sound mitigation plans, we shall continue to monitor this situation carefully and continue to engage closely with our customers, as we start to work in collaboration to ensure we can recognize the world’s best creativity in 2020.”
Last Friday, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that France was tightening restrictions on public gatherings by banning groups of more than 100 people, and earlier this week French President Emmanuel Macron ordered people to stay at home for at least the next 15 days.
The move to October will put Cannes Lions in the company of some of the ad industry’s important events, including Advertising Week New York is scheduled in early October, as well as the Association of National Advertisers’ “Masters of Marketing” conference, scheduled for October 20 to 23 in Orlando, Florida.
