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70 Years of Cannes Lions

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Skills covered in this course

communication skill

Three things you can really rely on.

A CPD-accredited Mini MBA.

Real credit, real progress. Signed, dated, and easy to track.

Marked by humans, not bots.

A real person checks your work and responds, usually within 24 hours.

Personalised to your role.

Our AI reshapes each lesson around what you actually do, so you can put it into practice straight away.

About this course

For more than 70 years, the Cannes Lions festival has been where creativity gets serious.

It's widely seen as one of the most respected and influential events in the creative world, and for a lot of professionals, winning there is the big dream.

Since its first edition in 1954, it has consistently highlighted how strong creative ideas can shift the world for the better, and it still sparks top-notch work from across the globe.

With the 70th festival in mind, we thought it would be fun to revisit some of the most celebrated work from the past seventy years.

This course takes about an hour. Youvll also get to watch and judge some of the best ads out there.

To keep things consistent across time, the ads we've picked all come from the TV and Film categories, because those were the only categories open to entrants back in 1954.

We hope you enjoy this relaxed look back, and that it gives you a few ideas for your own work. You might even feel tempted to go to the event.

If you do attend, do pop into the school and say hello.

P.S. If you want more inspiration from some of the top creative minds behind the work, you can also browse any of our popular Cannes Lions certified courses :)

What you'll learn:

See what top-tier ads actually do well
Tap into your creative instincts
Spot the patterns and trends from 70 years of Cannes Lions
Have fun along the way, even if you end up laughing or getting a bit emotional

Who's it for

Built around you.

If you are a:

Anyone who wants to learn more about advertising
Those who are interested in the history of Cannes Lions
Curious people who just love getting inspired
Fans of classic ads and vintage campaigns

A peek behind the curtain.

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Inside a lesson

Short, engaging lessons with a story at the centre. Never dull. Each one is about 15 minutes. You ll get video, writing that actually pulls you in, and a question to check the idea really stuck.

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AI personalisation

Made for your role and what you re aiming to achieve. Tell us what you do and what you re trying to improve. Every lesson gets rewritten with practical takeaways for your specific job. The core frameworks and data stay the same, but the examples become relevant to you.

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Real feedback

Support from a real person. Some questions are reviewed by someone on our team. If you need a steer, you'll get one. And if you're stuck, we're genuinely happy to jump on a call.

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The certificate

A Mini MBA certificate you'll want to keep. CPD-accredited, signed, dated, and trackable. Completion rates are above 80%, compared with an industry average that's much closer to 10%.

42courses vs typical online courses.

Feature	42courses	Typical platform
Marking & feedback by real people	Within 24 hours	Auto-quiz only
Personalised by role & sector	AI reshapes every lesson	Same content for everyone
Taught by working practitioners	The people who wrote it	Often academics or actors
Average completion rate	Over 80%	5 to 15% (industry average)
CPD-accredited Mini MBA certificate	Every course	Sometimes
30-day money back, no questions	If you aren't happy, we won't be either	Usually a 7-day refund window

Questions you might be pondering.

Roughly eight hours of learning total, broken into smaller lessons that are about 15 minutes each. Most people finish in around two weeks, though there's no strict deadline. You can pause whenever life or work demands it.

Nope. We begin with the basics and build from there. You'll get a fresh way to think about the subject using insights from top leaders in the space, whether you're brand new or you've been in the field for years and want a sharper approach.

Each lesson ends with a quick question to help you check your understanding. In every course, some of those questions are marked by our team in a manual process. If you need guidance, a real person sends back notes to help you get to the right answer. And if you ever want to talk it through, we're always happy to chat on a call.

You've got 30 days after you sign up to request a full refund. No hassle, no awkward conversations, no endless back-and-forth. We respond to refund requests within 24 hours in most cases, often quicker. If you're not feeling it, we'll sort it out.

The books give you the theory. This course focuses on how to apply it, tailored around your role and goals, so you finish each lesson with practical, personal takeaways you can actually use.

Yes, it works across a range of industries. Learners have used it in tech, healthcare, retail, banking, government, charities, and education. Since our AI personalises every lesson to your role and goals, the examples and exercises adjust to your day-to-day reality.

Usually, yes. Most learning and development budgets cover this without drama. If you need it, we can also provide a VAT-friendly invoice. Just email us at groundcontrol@42courses.com. If you are booking for 10 or more learners, check out Team plans.

It's a CPD-accredited certificate, used across the UK and also recognised internationally for continuing professional development. It's personalised with your name, then signed, dated, and trackable. You can add it to LinkedIn, your CV, your performance review, or keep it somewhere safe.

Tools You'll Explore

Lions

Since it first kicked off in 1954, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has been bringing the creative communications industry together each year in Cannes. It's a one-of-a-kind event where people learn, connect, and celebrate. And now, for the first time, you can learn from and get inspired by the best in the business from the comfort of your own home.

The Work

The most standout creative thinking in the world, carefully selected by LIONS. Learn from the work you already love, then have it broken down and analysed by the experts. See how it was briefed, researched, produced, and brought to life. And just as importantly, find out how it landed in the real world.

What we'll cover, in order.

The 1950s, 60s, and 70s

How the festival came about, and what it was like in the early years.

The 1950s - The Early Years

The 1960s - The Mad Men Era

The 1970s - Advertising Goes Global

The 1980s and 90s

The 1980s was a boom time for business and advertisers alike. Champagne and lobster for all!

The 1980s - The Rise of Cable & Satellite TV

The 1990s - Online Ads First Appear

The 2000s, 2010s and 2020s

How the birth of social media and smartphones altered the world of advertising significantly.

The 2000s - Social Media Joins The Party

The 2010s - The Rise And Rise Of Mobile

The 2020s - Data And Artificial Intelligence

Certification Process

Complete all the classes

Attend classes, ask questions, and finish your homework. We check your activity and support your learning journey every step of the way.

Get the Summary Notes

Receive high-quality supporting documents, summary notes, and recommended readings. Ensure you have access to all tools and resources.

Complete 100% Impact

Complete the final assessment to validate your learning. Earn your certificate and share your achievement with your professional network!

Free

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This Course Includes:

Level Access

1h of Content

Certificate of Completion

English

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Add value to your profile

Official Certificate

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