Cannes Lions refuses to disqualify VML campaign entered without client approval
Digital agency VML Sydney has escaped disqualification and possible suspension from the Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, despite entering a campaign that did not have authorisation of the government client, used the logo of another public body without permission, and made a misleading claim about the work.
In June client Transport for NSW told Mumbrella it had not given permission for the Blackspot Beacons campaign to be entered into the Lions festival, despite rules stating awards must have client sign-off or face disqualification.
But five weeks after launching an “investigation” organisers have now released a statement saying they will allow the public safety campaign to be withdrawn and not disqualified, despite a rule stating “entries cannot be cancelled or removed from the competition after 15 May 2015“.
“Across 40,000 entries there will always be requests and clarifications required pertaining to work entered. In this instance we accepted a position from the entrant company as being bona fide and allowed the work to be withdrawn. We now consider the matter closed,” Cannes Lions CEO Philip Thomas told Mumbrella in an emailed statement overnight.Agencies disqualified from the world’s biggest advertising festival can be banned from entering for a period of time.
Cannes Lions are the advertising equivalent of FIFA
Cannes may not take any action, but the whole episode has definitely damaged the VML brand – it’s impacted a major client, the wider industry knows the truth and it doesn’t reflect well on the staff and indeed the management involved. You can be sure they won’t make the same mistake twice Mumbrella!
Awards debacle aside, it’s a brilliant idea and an awesome use of the technology.
What if the beacons could also push out discounts and special offers? :p
@DanM
It’s got nothing to do with beacon technology, that’s just the name. The actual tech used very similar to what’s in place in the Cross City Tunnel for emergency broadcasts since 2005. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2BMGWOddA
If it were a beacon, it would never have required a ACMA permit to operate.
Which does make you wonder whether the original intention was to use Beacons.
Why the RMS would go to VML to utilise a technology they already deployed seems odd.
It really is a curious piece of work.
Ah, Cannes. Mumbrella must really look forward to this time of year. Keep at it!
It’s a daft idea.
It relies upon someone having their radio on (and not listening to CD, mp3 or nothing at all) and then loud enough to care.
Better sign-posting and road architecture are far simpler and effective.
I still haven’t seen that Optus Clever Bouy in meaningful deployment yet, either.
Horseshit. Why not put in scam ads when you don’t get punished for doing so?
Really poor form [Edited under Mumbrella’s comment moderation policy]
@Nic Halley, Ha! Good call.
In other news, the Cannes Festival of Creativity have recently signed Ben Johnson and Lance Armstrong as ambassadors.
Advertising. Saving the world one scam ad at a time.