Cannes

Cannes Lions, which last month pushed back its 2020 festival of creativity from June to October 26-30 due to the "challenging circumstances" presented by the coronavirus pandemic, has now pulled the plug on the 2020 festival.

It now hopes to host the next edition of the awards bash from June 21-25, 2021.

The organization noted the global spread of COVID-19 has impacted people across the marketing, creative and media businesses.

It said it's clear that priorities have shifted from celebrations to protecting the safety of people, preserving companies, society and economies.

“Cannes Lions at its core has always been about creativity and the Lions. We realise that the creative community has other challenges to face, and simply isn’t in a position to put forward the work that will set the benchmark," Philip Thomas, CL chairman, said in a statement. "The marketing and creative industries, in common with so many others, are currently in turmoil, and it’s clear that we can play our small part by removing all speculation about the Festival this year."

He said the cancellation was made "as early as possible to give the industry total clarity on the situation."