Canada will send eight of its best marketing and advertising minds to Cannes in June to judge the 2008 Cannes Lions.
The list, released today by The Globe and Mail, Canada’s representative organization at the awards, includes:
- Paulette Arsenault, Palm Arnold Communications (press jury);
- Rico DiGiovanni, Spider Marketing Solutions (promo jury)
- Tom Murphy, Target Marketing & Communications (radio jury)
- Matt Shirtcliffe, Proximity Canada (direct jury)
- Aaron Starkman, Zig Inc (film jury)
- Dominique Trudeau, Taxi Montreal (cyber jury)
- Shirley Ward-Taggart, Leo Burnett/Arc (direct jury)
- Annette Warring, Genesis-Vizeum (media jury)
“It’s going to be really inspirational for me,” says Warring, chief operating officer at Genesis-Vizeum, who adds she’s looking forward to seeing what media opportunities exist in other countries. “There are things from a media perspective that we don’t even consider here, mostly because they’re not available. To be able to bring that back to Canada and my own company is fabulous.”
Spider president DiGiovanni has experience with international awards as a judge, however, this will be his first trip to Cannes. He says he was thrilled when he got the news.
“It’s kinda like the Olympics of marketing awards,” DiGiovanni says. “I didn’t know I’d get as excited as I did. It’s going to be extra-special. I’m extremely flattered.”
The 55th International Advertising Festival takes place June 15-21. The submission deadline for the film, press and outdoor categories is March 7. Cyber, titanium and integrated submissions are due March 20.