Diana Marszalek 18 Jun 2018 // 9:38PM GMT
CANNES — While ad agencies once again dominate, a fair number of PR agencies are making a showing on the Cannes Lions shortlists, with several firms being credited as taking the lead on campaigns. They are being considered in the pharma, health & wellness, mobile and design categories.
Weber Shandwick, for example, has been shortlisted as the lead, or ‘idea agency,’ for its mobile educational app Studytracks. The firm also was shortlisted as the PR agency on eight other campaigns — six for Burger King and two for Mars Pedigree dog food. Ketchum London is on the health & wellness shortlist as the lead agency for ‘Blood Normal,' the feminine products campaign it led for Libresse; It's US operation was shortlisted for its PR work on BBDO’s campaign for the National Safety Council.
Marina Maher Communications also made the cut for the ‘What Invention Can’t You Wait For?’ campaign it spearheaded for Merck. FleishmanHillard Dublin is also in the pharma category running for its work with Roche promoting disease awareness and healthcare access; FH's Chicago office is shortlisted for its PR work on the Beat the Blitz VR offering VML created for Gatorade. In the design category, Carmichael Lynch Relate is being considered for the X Games takeover it led for Jack Link’s Jerky.
Edelman appears on the shortlist five times for its PR work around the Cigna campaign uniting TV doctors to promote annual checkups and its work with Chobani on its rebrand, while the firm's Dallas office is on the shortlist for supporting KFC's romance novel campaign. DeVries Global makes the cut for its PR work for the #SuperSickMonday campaign McCann New York led for Reckitt Benckiser’s Mucinex. MBooth’s work on Tinder’s Interracial Couple Emoji Project is under consideration as well.
Other agencies being recognized for their PR work on shortlisted campaigns include: Dini Von Mueffling for BBDO’s Monica Lewinsky anti-bullying campaign; W Communications London for its role promoting the suicide prevention group Calm’s purpose-driven art installation, Project 84; and Alison Brod Marketing and Communications is an award contender for its work on Burger King's 'McMansions' campaign.