Leo Burnett Hong Kong's Group Creative Director Miranda Shing (left) and Senior Art Director Timothy Li (second from left), who were sponsored by Create Hong Kong to participate in the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, share their joy and experience in Cannes with Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau (seated). On the right is Jerry Liu, Head of Create Hong Kong.

On July 29, Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau met the creative teams of Leo Burnett Hong Kong and Grey Hong Kong to congratulate them on winning a total of 10 awards, including two gold awards, at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, a major annual international event for the advertising industry.

Grey Hong Kong’s “Umbrella Bag” project won Hong Kong’s first-ever Gold Lion award in the outdoor category, while Leo Burnett Hong Kong picked up one Gold Lion, three Silver Lions and five Bronze Lions with four projects - the “Hidden Sound Campaign,” the “Unequal Childhood Paper-cutting” series, the “Organic Poo” poster series and the “Trailer.”

"The achievement of Hong Kong’s advertising industry in the festival this year surpassed that of last year,” Mrs. Lau noted. “It represents recognition of our advertising talent and demonstrates that the quality of our creative work is on a par with international standards. I warmly congratulate all the award winners.

“Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) has collaborated with the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong (HK4As) to provide sponsorship under the CreateSmart Initiative for the industry to participate in international competitions and major creative industry events, with a view to raising the profile of our advertising sector and showcasing Hong Kong creativity to the world,” Mrs. Lau said. “I am pleased to know that two of the Lions award winners this year were sponsored by CreateHK. This is good encouragement for others, especially budding young talent.”

Apart from the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, CreateHK has provided financial support to winners of the HK4As Kam Fan Awards and the HK4As Young Creative Competition to participate in other global contests or workshops. These include the D&AD Awards in the United Kingdom; the Spikes Asia Advertising Festival and the Young Spikes Creative Competition, which will be held in Singapore in September; and the ADFEST Young Lotus Workshop, to be held in Thailand in March 2011.

The Government is considering sponsoring the HK4As to organize a forum for the winners to share their experiences and showcase their award-winning projects. The Government's Youth Portal [youth.gov.hk] will also upload their work to share with the public and foster appreciation of creativity among young people.

CreateHK has also supported the HK4As for the second consecutive year to provide a two-month summer internship program and a one-year graduate trainee program for tertiary students who are interested in the advertising industry.