With France imposing a stringent lockdown a little more than two months before the annual International Festival of Creativity, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that an on-the-ground event will be possible in Cannes. But an alternative is said to be in the works: MediaLink is organizing a live event tied to the International Festival of Creativity in New York City.
Such a plan could make sense, given that the majority of U.S. attendees often are from New York. And the city’s Mayor Bill DiBlasio has said that more than 4 million doses of vaccine have been given out in the city. According to an ABC News report, Dr. Jay Varma, medical advisor to the mayor, noted at a recent news conference that he is hopeful the city "can be completely out of this within six to eight weeks of very aggressive vaccination.”
According to three people familiar with the situation, MediaLink is in discussions with The Whitney Museum of American Art to host its event, which will be held in partnership with its owner Ascential, which runs the Cannes Lions. Michael Kassan, CEO of MediaLink, declined to comment. Kassan is listed on the Whitney's board of trustees on the museum's website.