In June this year, when Cannes Lions Festival of creativity conferred the Lion of St Mark title on David Droga, there was only one Indian, Piyush Pandey, who spoke in the showreel about Droga. It was probably more than a subtle hint about the shape of things to come.
In a rare distinction for Indian advertising, Piyush and his film-maker brother Prasoon (not to be confused with McCann Worldgroup's Prasoon Joshi) will be conferred with the Lion of St Mark, a title given to the most outstanding contribution for creativity in advertising.
The Lion of St. Mark is the highest honour that the Cannes International Festival of Creativity bestows on creative geniuses within the communications industry. Previous recipients have included David Droga, John Hegarty, Lee Clow and Marcello Serpa, Dan Wieden, Joe Pytka and Bob Greenberg.
This is the 8th Lion of St. Mark awarded by the Cannes Film Festival. The award will formally be given to Piyush and Prasoon Pandey at the Cannes Festival on June 22nd 2018.
Philip Thomas, CEO, Ascential Events said that the two brothers have changed the face of creativity in India and far beyond.
Piyush Pandey, executive chairman, Ogilvy India said, "This is a huge, huge honour. I am humbled and immensely grateful to the people of India. It is the richness and diversity of this nation that gave my brother and me the opportunity to learn and create good work."
He also thanked Cannes Lions, "for giving every creative professional in my country a reason to believe that if Prasoon and Piyush can do it, so can they".
