2nd CHIMERA WORKSHOP JUST DAYS AWAY AS CANNES LIONS 2012 GRANDS PRIX WINNERS BEGIN MENTORSHIP OF NINE WINNING IDEAS
24 September 2013 – The third Cannes Chimera global communications challenge, set to the brief ‘Help Lead the Fight Against Extreme Poverty’, will close for entries on 30 September.
This latest challenge set by Cannes Lions and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, calls for new communications concepts that can incite the public to support an emerging international agenda to ensure that extreme poverty is virtually eliminated by 2030.
“It’s a huge goal and it’s 17 years away. So how do we make that goal relevant today? How do we bring it forward so people think about it, care about it, talk about it? How do we get people to get involved and want to see it get accomplished? We believe that by using the great power of creativity, some very inspirational communications ideas will emerge that will answer the brief and kick-start the momentum to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030.” says Tom Scott, Director of Global Brand & Innovation at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Innovative and world-changing ideas that answer to this brief can be submitted, by no later than 30 September, on just two pages. Up to ten competition winners will be eligible for up to an initial $100,000 (US) to work and perfect their idea and will be invited to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation campus in Seattle for a 2-day workshop during which they will be mentored by the Cannes Chimera, a ‘super-agency’ made up of Cannes Lions Grands Prix winners. Following the workshop, winners may apply for additional funding of up to $1Million (US) to implement their concept in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its global partners.
“Whilst anybody can submit an idea, we particularly call on people in the advertising and communications industry to take part, since they have the extraordinary ability to change human behaviour through great creative storytelling and can influence others to take action that will ultimately impact the world in future years,” comments Philip Thomas, CEO of Lions Festivals. “Who better than the great minds of our industry to put to good use their creative and persuasive talents to help build a better future for mankind?” he added.
The previous Cannes Chimera challenge “Aid is Working. Tell the World”, which called for communications ideas in four specific submission categories – Mobile, Data, Young Audiences and The Progress of Development – to help change the global conversation about the impact of investments in foreign aid, is about to enter its second stage.
During the first week of October, the nine winners of this challenge, will attend an intensive but inspirational two-day workshop where they will join forces with the Cannes Chimera, winners of the 2012 Cannes Lions Grands Prix, to brainstorm and perfect their ideas before using their $100,000 funding to further develop their concepts, ahead of reapplying for a further $1 Million to put their idea into practice.
“Every day we apply our creative talent to solve clients’ problems, but now we have the chance to use it to solve critical world issues. What a fantastic opportunity to help make the world a better place,” says Chimera member Graham Fink, Chief Creative Officer of Ogilvy Shanghai, ahead of the forthcoming workshop.
Nick Law, Global Chief Creative Officer of R/GA New York, a Chimera member for two consecutive years, adds, “Most days we use our talent to change minds; this is an opportunity to change lives”.
The Cannes Chimera Initiative was launched by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, which brings together the global advertising and communications industry, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic foundation, in an effort to generate communications ideas that motivate global audiences to support change and take actions that address a unique development issue through a competitive brief.
For more information on the 2013 creative brief and background please visit CannesChimera.com
All entries must be submitted online through Canneslions.com by 30 September 2013.
About the Cannes Chimera Initiative
This partnership inspires and activates the creative community to help solve the world’s most urgent global health and development problems. Each year, the initiative challenges the world’s creative talent to develop ground-breaking communications approaches that motivate global audiences to support change and take actions that address a unique development issue, through a competitive creative brief.
Winners of the competition are eligible to apply for an up to US$1M US grant from The Gates Foundation to execute their idea.
To learn more about the Cannes Chimera, please visit http://www.canneslions.com/chimera
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About Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
The International Festival of Creativity, also known as Cannes Lions, is the world’s leading celebration of creativity in communications. Founded in 1954, the Festival takes place every June in Cannes, France.
As the most prestigious international annual advertising and communications awards, over 35,500 entries from all over the world are showcased and judged at the Festival. Winning companies receive the highly coveted Lion trophy honouring the most creative film, print, outdoor, interactive, radio, design, sales promotion & activation, film craft and integrated, branded content & entertainment advertising, as well as the best media, direct marketing, PR, titanium and creative effectiveness ideas. The Festival is also the only truly global meeting place for advertisers, advertising and communication professionals. Close to 12,000 delegates from 95 countries attend seven days of exhibitions, screenings, as well as high-profile seminars, workshops, forums and master classes presented by renowned worldwide industry leaders. As the networking and learning opportunity of the year, Cannes Lions is the must-attend event for anyone involved in brand communication. www.canneslions.com
About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. For more information, visit: www.gatesfoundation.org
