timeTo and Cannes Lions join forces to offer guidance and education around sexual harassment at industry events

Celebrating Safely is launched; a comprehensive guide created in partnership with Wildstorm PR and NABS, the industry charity, aimed at guiding employers, employees, and delegates on the issues around sexual harassment at industry events.

The guide can be found here: https://timeto.org.uk/cannes/

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 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 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.

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.

Pippa Glucklich, CEO of Electric Glue and timeTo Chair, said: “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.”

Frank Starling, Chief DEI Officer at Cannes Lions, said: “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/