• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, May 5, 2015

Okay, this is hilarious. The Indian Confederation of NGOs (iCONGO) created a video entitled "A Video Appeal to Cannes Lions Jury Members." In the video, we hear about all the wonderful things that occur during a three-month period leading up to Cannes Lions. Creative ideas help the homeless find shelter, the hungry get fed, the jobless get jobs.

We then realize the only reason these good deeds are occurring is because art directors and copywriters the world over are doing all they can not so much to do social good, but rather to win a Lion for the work they did that resulted in the social good. 

And so the video concludes with the logic that if the three months leading up to Cannes in June can do so much for so many, it would make perfect sense for Cannes Lions to occur four times a year instead of just once. 

A lengthy letter addressed to Cannes Lion CEO Terry Savage that accompanies the video on YouTube reads, in part, "It’s 3 months of pure, unadulterated, cockle-warming service to humankind.

But therein lies the problem: Why should the good work stop after the Awards are given out in June? Why should the world be a happier place for just 3 months every year?

We spoke to many underprivileged beneficiaries and understood their obvious disappointment at the abrupt discontinuation of many wonderful initiatives, shortly after the ideas win a Lion. Or soon after they don’t win one, for that matter. 

As head of the world’s pre-eminent creative awards festival, you can easily change that. We believe there’s a simple way to ensure many wonderful ideas impact lives positively for not just 3 odd months, but throughout the year."

The video's true plea, of course, is that social good should be a priority year round.

The video's creator, iCONGO Founder Jeroninio Almeida, said: “Every year we get calls from people that ‘we want to do this public service campaign with you.’ And I’d think, ‘Why do these calls only start around March or April?' So I wanted to bring this issue to the fore in a light-hearted manner.”

No one from Cannes Lions has responded .