Corbis' plans for the 55th International Advertising Festival, which begins on June 15 in Cannes, focus on the role of photography and celebrity in advertising. During the week-long festival, Corbis will host and sponsor a number of events, including a rights workshop and several exhibits.
The first nod to celebrity imagery will be the unveiling of an exclusive portrait of Jimi Hendrix by Tes One, a contemporary artist that blends street art with graphic design. The portrait was based on an iconic image by longtime Corbis photographer Henry Diltz, known for his coverage of the music scene.
A Corbis-sponsored outdoor exhibit, already on view, features the work of celeb shooter Peggy Sirota. Presented by La Ville de Cannes and unveiled by the mayor, the exhibit contains 17 large canvas billboards, adorned with contemporary Hollywood stars, from Jack Nicholson to Jennifer Aniston.
Corbis will also host a workshop on the use of celebrity in developing brands. Focusing on the blurring distinction between the advertising and entertainment industries, the workshop will explore how celebrities are increasingly used to rejuvenate products and build new identities. Chairing the expert panel will be Lindsay Nicholson, editorial director of UK National Magazine Company, the publisher of Cosmopolitan, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar.
The company will also reveal its plans for the new Museum of Arts for the Arts, which Corbis is underwriting.