Philips to offer €125,000 to make cities better places to live

The Livable Cities Award launches today (25 May) and will be promoted on CNN International and HLN and online at CNN.com/livablecities until spring 2011.

The activity, which was planned and bought by Aegis media agency Carat International, will roll out in stages over the next year. Initially, two 60-second films will run for four weeks on CNN International EMEA and HLN to announce the competition.

From 27 September to 24 October, in the run up to the WHO Global Forum on Urbanization and Health in Japan, four 60-second films will showcase the best of the entries and remind viewers they can enter until 28 October.

Over six weeks in early spring 2011, 30-second films will feature each category shortlist and viewers will be encouraged to vote online and to choose who should win the first Livable Cities Award.

A 60-second film about the successful winner's idea will run on air for two weeks and Philips will feature prominently as CNN's commercial partner in its coverage of World Health Day 2011.

Max Raven, senior vice-president of advertising sales at CNN International, said: "This cross-platform solution has audience engagement at its heart and is designed to maximise Philips' commitment to helping people in urban communities achieve healthy, fulfilled lives.

"By creating the Livable Cities Award with CNN Ad Sales, Philips is able to create a branded environment to invite ongoing dialogue with a targeted audience."

Ideas can be entered in one of three categories: 'Well-being Outdoors', 'Independent Living' and 'Healthy Lifestyle at Work and Home'.

An overall award of €75,000 will be granted for the best idea and two additional awards of €25,000 will be made to the best submissions in the two categories not covered by the overall award.

This article was first published on marketingmagazine.co.uk