Cannes Lions 2016: Changes announced in awards format

Entries for Cannes Lions 2016 will open on January 21.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has announced changes in its awards this year. As part of the change, the Press Lions will now be known as the Print and Publishing Lions, while Digital Craft has been separated from the Cyber and Mobile Lions. The addition of the Press Lions is considered to be a significant achievement in the history of Cannes Lions, as it was the second award to be added to the competition.

Commenting on the same, Simon Cook, director of awards, Lions Festivals, says, "This is an award that's been with us since 1992. By renaming it the Print & Publishing Lions, we are evolving the category, just as the print and publishing world itself is evolving to recognise other forms of publishing, along with best uses of press and interactive press."

As part of the change, the Digital Craft Lions will take into account the creative skills including the design quality, technical execution and overall experience across all digital platforms and devices.

Commenting on the splitting of Digital Craft, Terry Savage, chairman, Lions Festivals, adds, "The Cyber and Mobile Lions juries have told us that with more and more UX and Craft focussed entries, it is necessary to have experts in this field sitting on the jury. We've chosen to split it out so that this specialist area can have its own dedicated jury, which will also make the hugely labour intensive Cyber Lions judging much more manageable as we go forward."

Moreover, according to the new format, the Product Design Lions will now include Service and Interactive Design for Products as a new addition.

Furthermore, the Titanium and Integrated Lions will now be judged as standalone Lions, as a result of being segregated according to the new rules.

The Design Lions will see a new suite of Experience Design categories, and an expanded social section. The Outdoor Lions will grow to include a large digital outdoor section.

Also, according to a previous announcement, the launch of Lions Entertainment will see two associated Lions. Branded Content and Entertainment Lions will be replaced by the Entertainment Lions. Meanwhile, a new category called the Entertainment Lions for Music is being launched due to the growing significance of music within the entertainment sector.

Entries for Cannes Lions 2016 will open on January 21, 2016.