Cannes 2012: Sorrell prepares to debate the importance of live events

By Arif Durrani, campaignlive.co.uk, Thursday, 21 June 2012 03:30PM

Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP, will be joined by Lord Sebastian Coe and Brazilian footballer Ronaldo on stage at Cannes Lions tomorrow for his annual debate, which this year focuses on the importance of live events.

Cannes 2012: Sorrell to debate the importance of live events

In an insight into what will be setting Twitter alight and making industry headlines tomorrow, Sorrell provides a brief overview of some of the key topics on the agenda in the quadrennial year of 2012, when Lord Coe and the UK host the Olympics

The power of traditional linear television is set to be underlined, as event TV once again reasserts itself over its time-shifted, or personalised viewing schedules.

Sorrell said: "Paradoxically, post-Lehman, we thought TV might subside in importance, but this will be the importance of old screens and new screens in terms of live events.

"We’ll talk about there was a tender by agencies to buy the Olympics. We’ll talk about politics and sport, we’ll talk about sponsorship, we’ll talk about the scale of the audiences, and why there is more money chasing fewer of these events.

"We’re talking about the two most powerful sporting events on the planet and why they are important, and how they are going to change in the digital environment."

Part 1: Sorrell prepares to debate the importance of live events
Part 2: Sorrell calls WPP leaders underpaid
Part 2: Sorrell confident of 4% ad growth in 2012 but "worried" about 2013

Follow Arif Durrani on Twitter: DurraniMix / follow Sarah Johnson on Twitter: @BRProducers

This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk