The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity - the world's largest gathering of the advertising and creative communications industry - which had originally been scheduled for 22-26 June 2020, later rescheduled for 26-30 October - has now been canceled, with the next edition planned for 21-25 June 2021.

Organizers said in an online statement:

"As the impact from COVID-19 continues to be felt across the world on consumers and our customers across the marketing, creative and media industries, it has become clear to us our customers’ priorities have shifted to the need to protect people, to serve consumers with essential items and to focus on preserving companies, society and economies."

Speakers who had already been lined up for the 2020 Festival include:

• Claudine Cheever, Global Head of Brand and Advertising, Amazon
• Jean Tanis, Global Marketing Creative Lead, Netflix
• David Rubin, CMO< New York Times
• David Droga, Founder and Creative Chairman, Droga5
• Kathleen Hall, VP/Brand, Advertising and Research, Microsoft
• Bob Reilly, Global Creative Chairman, McCann Worldgroup

Decisions about events like the Lions are ultimately the responsibility of the French Ministries of Health and Interior, the Alpes-Maritimes Regional Authority and the Cannes City Council.

COVID-19 is touching every industry. Watch this space for updates.