Leo Burnett

Finally back after a short absence thanks to the ritual that is our annual Cannes Predictions Reel.  For anyone unfamiliar, each year a team led by our Chief Creative Officer Mark Tutssel reviews a few thousand campaigns and whittles them down to a neat list of 50 that, in our opinion, promise to fare quite well at the International Advertising Festival.  Have a look at the 2009 final selection.

Quick history: Cannes Predictions dates back to 1987, when Donald Gunn (then LB’s worldwide director of creative resources) started the project as a modest internal contest for employees.  The idea being that each participant selects 20 they think will win.  Once the results are announced, the person with the highest accuracy takes the top prize.

Twenty-three years later, Cannes Predictions is screened in more than 40 cities around the world – from small office events to huge, industry-wide galas.  It’s also widely distributed to the international press and serves as a quick primer on what we’ll see onstage at the Palais des Festivals.

Should also point out that the reel’s been remarkably prescient since its inception.  It’s included the Film Grand Prix 20 of the past 22 years, and 30-35 entries typically wind up bagging Lions.  This year’s collection features work from 15 countries across multiple product categories and, in keeping in step with the industry, we’ve greatly broadened the scope to include candidates that could win in a variety of different media.

I’ll be back with more thoughts and reflections on the year shortly.  In the meantime, we’re hoping to get a conversation started via Twitter (hashtag #cannespredictions).  Take another look at the list, jump in the debate and give us your thoughts.  As a reminder, you can always direct message @leoburnettblog.