Lions Direct Entries Fall 6.51%

Entries for the prestigious Cannes Lions 2006 awards in the French resort of Cannes are up 12.49 percent, organizer International Advertising Festival said.

However, the Lions Direct category fell 6.51 percent to 1,509 entries this year from 1,614 in 2005. Film was the only other laggard, down 2.72 percent to 4,860 this year from 4,996 in 2005.

A total of 24,862 entries from 81 countries will compete June 18-24 at Cannes Lions compared with 22,102 in 2005. Excluding the new Promo Lions category, the Cannes Lions submissions tally is up 9.67 percent.

The London-based organizer claimed this was a record year for entries in the Media Lions, Cyber Lions and the cross-channel Titanium categories, growing 36.25 percent, 31.89 percent and 51.88 percent, respectively.