Someone Call PETA: VW Bags 34 Lions In Cannes

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

When I used to go to Cannes for the Cannes Lions International Festival, it was more to hang out with friends at the bar of the Carlton or the Martinez, and to boo at the choices of the jury, after the more interesting topless attractions at the beach had gotten dressed. Volkswagen had a serious reason to go. They went home with a whole safari park of the coveted “Lions.” Volkswagen received a total of 34 Gold, Silver and Bronze Lions.

Volkswagen even won a “Titanium Lion” for the “Think Blue” campaign.environmental and sustainability initiative. “The Force” Darth Vader ad for the Passat, won three awards alone – two Gold and one Bronze. Campaigns from the USA, Australia and New Zealand were honored, as were those from Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, England, China, Argentina and Brazil won eight “Golden Lions,” and 14 awards in Silver and eleven in Bronze.

Chrysler awards for their “Imported from Detroit” spot: Four “Gold Lions” for Best Direction, Best Use of Music, Best Script and Best Automotive Commercial. A Bronze Lion was awarded for Best Editing.


Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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