The South African commercials industry will once again be showcased to the world at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival (Cannes, France 17 – 23 June) via South Africa Xposed (SAX).
For the third year running, the successful SAX initiative has secured the highly sought after venue on the Croisette next to the Palais des Festivals for South Africa House, where it is set to be visited by thousands of members of the international commercials and advertising industries during Cannes Lions. SAX will also be partnering with a South African public entity to be headline sponsor of the famous Shots party.
“This will be our third year at Cannes Lions in what is arguably the best and most visible space on the Croisette,’ comments Janette de Villiers, founder member of SAX and its working group. “This, combined with the Shots party sponsorship, is undoubtedly the most high profile exposure for any one country at Cannes and reconfirms our industry’s place within the global commercials industry.’
Sponsorship packages for participation in South Africa House have been restructured to allow companies maximum exposure for their marketing rand. These range from individual company branded tables on the Croisette and logos on all print advertising, to display of marketing material for those who can’t get to Cannes.
“The SAX initiative makes complete marketing sense for any company who targets the international commercials industry, or indeed the local industry,’ comments Bev Green, founder member SAX. “South Africa House has become a destination on the Croisette – not just for the international community but for the local industry. You can engage in one place with your clients from all over the world and network with other members of the South African industry – all within a branded environment that has become synonymous with SA’s thriving, creative, friendly and professional commercials industry. And even if you can’t go to Cannes, you can still send your material and know that it will be displayed to your target market.”
A public/private partnership, the SAX initiative is funded through sponsorship from the private sector and funding from various public bodies, the lead agency of which is the Cape Film Commission (CFC). Laurence Mitchell, CEO of the CFC, comments, “The Cannes Lions festival is the flagship event of the commercial industry of SA and particularly Cape Town and the Western Cape. It therefore requires strong support from the public and private sector to ensure that the event becomes bigger and better each year. The CFC has wholly committed itself to improving the Cannes Lions event for 2007 to ensure continued growth of the commercial industry so that SA remains one of the top destinations for commercial production.’
For more info re sponsorship packages contact Jackie Lourens at jacky@saexposed.co.za / 083 485 6368
