Cannes Lions

Virtual Cannes Lions Generated $47.7 Million—Half of Its 2019 Revenue

Ascential, its owner, is also set to go on a digital commerce acquisition spree

What Execs Want to See and Hear From Cannes Lions Return — Cannes Lions virtual festival drove half the revenue from its physical event in 2019.Jonny Wan/Cannes Lions

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Despite being entirely virtual for a second year due to Covid-19 restrictions, Cannes Lions 2021 generated a revenue of $47.7 million (34.4 million pounds)—just under half of the amount generated in 2019 when it was last held in person.

Revealed within owner Ascential’s half-year results, the fully digital version of the annual festival, which included the return of the awards after two years, ran through a customer-built website with a newly introduced Cannes Lions membership element.

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