This year (and for the past 8), Edmonton has been granted an advanced screening of the Cannes International Advertising Reel of Winners.

Last week, Craig and I had the opportunity to witness them all – and in support of a fantastic cause – NABS or National Advertising Benevolent Society.

SPOILER ALERT: If you haven’t already scooped who won and in what category be warned that the surprise could ruined if you read/watch any further. But, if you are any sort of advertising buff you should probably have a fairly strong inkling of which certain man your man could smell like took home this year’s Grand Prix…

Kudos to all those who won, were nominated but most especially to those who hail from this home and native land.

Danna’s Favourite Canadian Lion Winners:

Campaign: Join the Fight

Client: Canadian Cancer Society (Silver Recipient)

Agency: DDB Canada, Toronto, Canada

Every time I watch this I am moved by how powerful it is. Here is wishing you the same experience and an arm full of goosebumps.

Campaign: Arctic Sun

Client: Tropicana Orange (Gold Recipient)

Agency: BBDO Canada, Toronto, Canada

Danna’s Top 5 Bronze Lion Winners:

Campaign: So Backwards

Client: Insurance

Agency: Black River F.C., Johannesburg, South Africa

Can you really only insure women? Their rebuttal…

Campaign: Embrace Life

Client: Sussex Safer Roads

Agency: Alexander Commercials, Middlesex, United Kingdom

Brilliant execution. Very powerful.

Campaign: New Kid

Client: Luvs Diapers

Agency: Saatchi & Saatchi New York, United States of America

Saluting all other first borns who have experienced this first hand.

Campaign: Piano Staircase

Client: VW Bluemotion

Agency: DDB Stockholm, Sweden

With a mantra built around adding fun to life, who can disagree?

Campaign: Swap

Client: Coke Zero

Agency: McCann Erickson Madrid, Spain

Anything that involves full audience participation has me sold. A true un-doctored testament to how people really feel about a product.

Danna’s Not So Favourite Bronze Lion Winners:

Awards are not science. As with any award competition there is usually a large element of subjectivity. Here are a few winners I feel; that, despite winning the award, still missed the mark. Disagree? Challenge me on it!

Campaign: Polar Bear

Client: Aviation Environmental Awareness

Agency: Mother London, United Kingdom

Shocking? Yes. Sad? Yes. Does it make me feel like I can do anything about it? No. That’s a lot of guilt to put on an audience.

Campaign: Nike Music Shoe

Client: Free Run Shoes

Agency: Wieden+Kennedy Tokyo , Japan

Gimmicky. Very.

Check back tomorrow for the list of my ultimate Silver Lion winners.