Tom Bedecarre Named Innovation Lions Jury President for 61st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The organizers of the 61^st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity have announced their selection of Tom Bedecarre to serve as Jury President of the prestigious festival's Innovation Lions awards. The Innovation Lions, now in their second year, honor breakthrough technology and innovation that allows brands, technologies and creative developers to communicate in new ways.

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"To inspire creative excellence in communications we increasingly need to develop new technologies, and the Innovation Lions celebrate creativity in technology," said Tom. "I'm super excited to see the apps, tools, hardware, software and platforms entered in this second year of the Innovation Lions awards."

Tom has been an innovator and pioneer in the communications business for more than three decades, working at the intersection of advertising and technology. Recently named 'Silicon Valley's Favorite Adman' by Fortune Magazine, he was cited for being a 'rare hybrid' that 'has cred with techies and Mad Men alike.' Tom was co-founder and CEO of Citron Haligman Bedecarre, then San Francisco's largest independent advertising agency, which grew into AKQA more than 12 years ago. AKQA is now one of the world's most awarded digital agencies, with clients including Anheuser-Busch, Audi, Delta, Google, Nike and Verizon.

In addition to his role as Chairman of AKQA, Tom is also President of WPP Ventures, a new Silicon Valley-based company that explores digital investment opportunities for WPP.

In 2013, Tom was recognized as the Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year" for his leadership and innovation in the media and marketing services industry. He was also selected in 2013 as the recipient of the "Hal Riney Icons of Marketing Award" from the San Francisco Bay Interactive Group (sfBIG) in recognition of his legacy of innovation and service in the San Francisco Bay Area marketing community.

The 61^st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will be held June 15 – 21, 2014 in Cannes, France.

About AKQA
AKQA is an ideas and innovation company. We collaborate with our clients to create the future. www.akqa.com 

61^st Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, 15-21 June 2014, Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
The International Festival of Creativity, also known as Cannes Lions, is the world's leading celebration of creativity in communications. Founded in 1954, the Festival takes place every June in Cannes, France.

As the most prestigious international annual advertising and communications awards, over 35,500 entries from all over the world are showcased and judged at the Festival. Winning companies receive the highly coveted Lion trophy, a global benchmark of creative excellence,  for Film, Print, Outdoor, Interactive, Radio, Design, Product Design, Promo & Activation, Film Craft, Mobile, Branded Entertainment and Integrated advertising, as well as the best Media, Direct, PR, Titanium, Creative Effectiveness and Innovation ideas. The Festival is also the only truly global meeting place for advertisers, advertising and communication professionals.  More than 12,000 delegates from 95 countries attend a week-long programme of exhibitions, screenings and talks by worldwide thought leaders. As the networking and learning opportunity of the year, Cannes Lions is the must-attend event for anyone involved in brand communications.

SOURCE AKQA