The 2019 Cannes Lions Festival for Creativity has just named the recipient of the inaugural Entertainment Person of the Year award, granting the title to American-Canadian producer Lorne Michaels for his contribution to the Entertainment Industry.
The stage was given to Philip Thomas, Ascential Events CEO and Cannes Lions chairman who gave a speech on why the award was being given to Michaels.
Read his speech below:
“In recognition of the fundamental role entertainment plays in the marketing and communications industry, the new Entertainment Person of the Year Award honors an individual whose creativity inspires us all to produce truly compelling, meaningful, and entertaining content. Tonight, Cannes Lions is delighted to present this inaugural accolade to the Multi-Emmy award winning producer and writer Lorne Michaels. An esteemed industry legend and master storyteller, Lorne has been a driving force in culture for almost four decades, creating impactful, award-winning entertainment across television, film and theater. Adding to his Presidential Medal of Freedom, and being named twice in Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People in the World, he now adds this accolade from Cannes Lions in 2019. He is best known for being the creator and executive producer of America’s longest running late night tv program in tv history, the hit show Saturday Night Live as well as the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Shrill, AP Bio and Documentary Now!. On Broadway on his spare time, he is the producer of Tony-award winning and nominated musicals like Mean Girls amongst others and his many film credits include Three Amigos and Wayne’s World.
Introducing the first ever #CannesLions Entertainment Person of the Year: Lorne Michaels! https://t.co/rL9k0IVdBr
— LIONS | The Home of Creativity (@Cannes_Lions) June 20, 2019
Main Image from Cannes Lions 2019 via Twitter.
