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The Dark Side of the Cannes Lions Festival: Addressing Sexual Harassment and Promoting Safety
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is renowned for celebrating the best in the advertising and creative industries. However, beneath the glamour and accolades lies a seedy underbelly that has been brought to light in recent years. In a disturbing incident this year, a woman who identifies as lesbian was approached by a CEO, who placed his hand on her buttocks and made an unsolicited comment about her appearance. This incident, while shocking, is not an isolated one, highlighting the pervasive issue of inappropriate conduct at industry events.
The #MeToo movement has cast a spotlight on such behavior, revealing that sexual harassment is more widespread than many initially thought. Junior industry members, attending Cannes to network and advance their careers, often find themselves vulnerable to advances from those in positions of power. The recent incident has sparked discussions among attendees about the urgent need to address and prevent such misconduct.
Celebrating Safely: A New Initiative to Combat Sexual Harassment
On June 5, 2024, a significant step was taken to tackle this issue with the launch of “Celebrating Safely,” a comprehensive guide created in partnership with Wildstorm PR and NABS, the industry charity. This guide aims to provide crucial guidance to employers, employees, and delegates on addressing sexual harassment at industry events.
The guide, is the result of a groundbreaking collaboration between timeTo, an industry initiative established to combat sexual harassment in advertising, and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering an environment of respect, well-being, and accountability.
Key Features of the Celebrating Safely Guide
“Celebrating Safely” offers supportive advice and education on sexual harassment, tailored to different audiences:
Employers: Guidance on creating and enforcing policies that ensure a safe and respectful workplace.
Employees: Information on recognizing and responding to harassment, and understanding their rights.
Delegates: Tips on staying safe at events, and steps to take if they experience or witness harassment.
The collaboration includes a significant presence at the festival, with out-of-home (OOH) ads at Heathrow airport, digital screens outside the Palais, and timeTo messaging on water bottles distributed to delegates. Additionally, the guide will be available in printed form across the City of Cannes, and digitally via QR codes throughout the festival.
Industry Leaders Speak Out
Christopher Kenna, CEO of Generation Black TV and BA Diversity Media Inc, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “This collaboration between timeTo and Cannes Lions underscores an important commitment to ensuring the festival remains a safe and respectful space where creativity can flourish. ‘I’m pleased to see this effort to raise awareness and put an end to sexual harassment in our industry. It’s crucial that everyone, from leaders to new entrants, stays vigilant, informed, and feels secure in their environments.”
Frank Starling, Chief DEI Officer at Cannes Lions, echoed this sentiment: “The festival is a time to celebrate the incredible talent and achievements of our industry, but it’s also important to recognise that sexual harassment is not a thing of the past. This guide is a proactive step towards ensuring that everyone, from industry leaders to employees, feels informed, supported, and safe at the Cannes Lions Festival.”
A Call to Action
The launch of “Celebrating Safely” represents a critical move towards changing the culture of industry events and ensuring that all attendees can enjoy a safe and respectful environment. As Cannes Lions continues to evolve, the commitment to addressing and preventing sexual harassment must remain a top priority, ensuring that creativity can thrive without fear of misconduct.
By raising awareness and providing clear guidance, initiatives like “Celebrating Safely” pave the way for a more inclusive and respectful industry, where every individual can feel empowered and secure.