For the first time ever timeTo, the industry initiative set up to tackle sexual harassment in advertising and the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, have joined forces to offer guidance and education around sexual harassment at industry events.
The partnership is designed to create and foster a supportive environment of respect, wellbeing, and accountability, where anyone attending in any capacity feels secure and empowered to enjoy themselves safely, and to speak up about sexual harassment should they need to.
The key asset, Celebrating Safely, provides supportive advice and education on sexual harassment to everyone planning to be in Cannes. A comprehensive guide created in conjunction with Wildstorm PR and NABS, it is split into three distinct sections tailored to employers, employees, and delegates, each section offers a specific focus for that audience and provides guidance before, during, and after the Festival.
The guide can be found here: https://timeto.org.uk/cannes/
The collaboration between Cannes Lions and timeTo, which was founded by NABS, WACL, the Advertising Association, and supported by ISBA and the IPA, will also include a significant presence on the ground in Cannes, including OOH ads (with the original work created by Lucky Generals) running in Heathrow airport with advertising space generously donated by JCDecaux, and on digital screens outside the Palais, water bottles being handed out to delegates with timeTo messaging and appearances at the WACL Empower Cafe throughout the week.
Celebrating Safely covers a broad range of topics, from the legal definition of sexual harassment to so-called ‘grey areas’ within the topic, as well as information and resources for leaders to help them educate their staff. All guidance is shared with the aim of empowering individuals to create a safe and respectful environment for all as well as to know what to do should they or anyone they know be affected by sexual harassment.
With the festival taking place in France, the guide also highlights the consequences of sexual misconduct, including the potential outcomes of criminal offences such as sexual assault and rape. In these cases, French jurisdiction and local law would be applicable. The sentence for these severe offences can vary significantly, and judges may impose sentences ranging from 15 to 30 years imprisonment for rape to penalties of five to seven years’ imprisonment and fines of up to €100,000 euros for sexual assault.
A printed version of Celebrating Safely will be distributed across the City of Cannes, including in the Palais, the WACL Empower Cafe and at some of the events and beaches. It will also be available digitally through a QR code throughout the duration of the festival and after.
Cannes Lions is a unique festival that sees tens of thousands of individuals from around the world gathering and celebrating creative excellence. With the Celebrating Safely guide in hand, timeTo and Cannes Lions are not just combating sexual harassment, but also reshaping the landscape of industry events and setting a new standard for inclusivity, safety, and integrity in the industry.
Says Pippa Glucklich, CEO of Electric Glue and timeTo chair: “timeTo’s collaboration with Cannes Lions cements the shared commitment of both organisations to ensure the Cannes Lions Festival remains a place where creativity thrives and everyone feels safe and respected. Through this inaugural partnership and via our bespoke guide, our collective aim is to increase awareness of this important initiative and end sexual harassment in our industry once and for all. Sadly, sexual harassment in the industry still remains a live issue and it is essential that everyone, from industry leaders to employees, is vigilant, well informed and feels safe wherever they are.”
Says Frank Starling, chief DEI officer at Cannes Lions: “We are delighted to partner with timeTo and support their vital mission to eradicate sexual harassment. The festival is a time to celebrate the incredible talent and achievements of our industry, but it’s also important to recognise that sexual harassment is not a thing of the past. This guide is a proactive step towards ensuring that everyone, from industry leaders to employees, feels informed, supported and safe at the Cannes Lions Festival.”
For more information about the guide addressing sexual harassment in Cannes, please visit – https://timeto.org.uk/cannes/
This timeTo X Cannes Guide is for guidance only and should not be used as a substitute for specific legal advice.
Get in touch to book the timeTo training as a means of educating staff on sexual harassment.
https://timeto.org.uk/training/
