Prasoon Joshi to head Cannes Lions 2008 Outdoor jury

Joshi has won more than 400 national and international advertising awards, including gold, silver and bronze lions at Cannes, Ad Fest Asia, One Show, D&AD and Clio

Prasoon Joshi, executive chairman and regional executive creative director, Asia Pacific, McCann Worldgroup, has been appointed president of the Cannes Lions 2008 Outdoor jury.

Prasoon Joshi

Joshi has won more than 400 national and international advertising awards, which include gold, silver and bronze lions at Cannes, Ad Fest Asia, One Show, D&AD and Clio. His work, from the 2003 Coca-Cola campaign to the 2007 Happydent Palace commercial, is well recognised among international and national juries and the public. Last year, the Happydent TVC won a silver lion in the Films category at Cannes.

Joshi remarks, “Outdoor is an ‘eyelid’ medium. In most cases you blink and it’s gone. Very specific ideas and execution are required for this medium and it’s not easy to have an intricate craft in it. I would like to appreciate the nuances of this category and look forward to exciting work at Cannes 2008.”

In 2006, Joshi was nominated Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. On the occasion of 60 years of India’s independence, The Times of India chose him as one of the country’s Top 60 Icons for his contribution in several fields that have shaped and impacted India’s public awareness. Joshi has had three books published and written popular songs for Hindi films, which have also earned him a BAFTA and an Oscar nomination.

Commenting on the development, Terry Savage, chairman of the Cannes Festival, says, “Prasoon Joshi is an extremely talented and passionate creative leader who is constantly pushing the boundaries that ultimately shape the future culture of his country and beyond. A jury president of such talent is a welcome addition to the Cannes Festival in 2008.”

The 55th Cannes International Advertising Festival will be held June 15-21, 2008, in Cannes, France. Each year, more than 10,000 visitors from advertising and allied industries attend this event to celebrate the best of creativity across all media. More than 25,000 ads from all over the world are showcased and judged at the festival.

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