Cannes Lions completes jury line-up

Organisers of the event have completed their roster of judges after selecting Luciano Deos and Dave Sanay as jury presidents for the Design and PR categories last month. In addition, Bob Scarpelli, DDB Worldwide's chairman and chief creative officer, will chair the Titanium and Integrated jury.

Plaza has been the global chief executive officer of MPG, the largest network within Havas Media, the media arm of communications group Havas, since 2006. Her first role in the firm saw her head the newly created corporate development department where she was responsible for the geographical and business diversification of the company back in 1993. Four years later, she took on the challenge of establishing Media Contacts, the firm’s digital arm and one of today’s leading global interactive media networks.

Plaza served as a judge at the event on two previous occasions and believes that Cannes is the pulse of the media industry and seeing fresh, ground-breaking work from around the world pushes everyone forward while simultaneously paving the way for the future of the industry. “I’m looking forward to working hard, debating, collaborating, and having fun with the rest of this year’s talented jury,” remarks Plaza.

Meanwhile, Keith Rose, director and founding partner of Velocity Films in South Africa, will chair the awards show’s Film Craft category. This category was introduced in 2010 to recognise films based on the quality of the direction, copywriting, cinematography or editing, as well as the skilful use of music, sound design or animation.

Rose has been selected by Campaign magazine as one of the top five directors globally and has garnered several Gold Lions himself in previous versions of the event.

Looking forward to judging the category, Rose added a little perspective on the field, “Was it done in camera? Was it done in post? Who knows? Craft and techniques have developed to such an extent that it is impossible to decode unless there’s a ‘making of’ to view. One thing I am certain of… if the technique used does not compliment or enhance the concept, it amounts to nothing. Technique for techniques sake is futile. A weak story glossed over by a fancy execution is still a weak story.”     

Cannes Lions chairman Terry Savage commended the selections, pointing out that both will effortlessly and successfully step up to their roles in Cannes and guide their juries to uphold excellence in the work being judged.