‘The Sentence of Michael Thompson’ from Cresco Labs and ‘Black Women are Resting’ from 69&Sunny Win Top Honors
NEW YORK—(October 24, 2023)— Clio Cannabis, the global awards competition that recognizes excellence in marketing and communications for the cannabis industry, today announced the winners of its fifth cycle. The competition’s highest honor, the Grand Clio Cannabis Award, was bestowed on two entries. Cresco Labs was lauded for the short-form documentary “The Sentence of Michael Thompson '' in the Advocacy medium and 69&Sunny’s “Black Women are Resting” took home the honor in the Social Good medium. Additionally, a total of 92 Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were simultaneously revealed at www.cliocannabisawards.com.
“The Sentence of Michael Thompson” from Cresco Labs focuses on one individual’s fight for clemency during a time of increasing legalization of cannabis at the state level and aims to put a face on the story of tens of thousands of people who remain incarcerated on cannabis convictions. Thompson was released from prison in January 2021 after 25 years. The film, which aired nationally on MSNBC, was one of the most awarded documentaries on the 2022 film festival circuit. It received Audience Awards at SXSW Film Festival, Chicago Critics Film Festival and Hamptons International Film Festival, as well as a Jury & Audience Award at Palm Springs International Shortfest, and was nominated in the Outstanding Short Documentary category at the 44th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
The 10-minute short film “Black Women Are Resting” follows the first-person narrative of Calan, a diabetic creative healer and entrepreneur, as she attends her first-ever luxury 420-friendly retreat to the cliffs of Negril, Jamaica. Alongside 25 other like-minded female travelers, Calan discovers what it means to heal through community and cannabis. The project, backed by 69&Sunny, launched the 'rest as resistance' movement that champions black women's well-being and healing.
Other top entries were awarded the Gold Clio Cannabis Award, including:
Brand Design: “Black Women Get Us Higher” by Gorilla Rx Wellness
Branded Entertainment & Content: “The Sentence of Michael Thompson” by Cresco Labs
Film & Video Craft: “Enjoy The Ride” for Gentlemen Smugglers by PufCreativ
Social Media: “Hi, I'm High” by Gotham
Clio statues were also designated for the Clio Cannabis Agency of the Year and Brand of the Year. These winners were determined by identifying the entrants with the most statue points earned for work submitted across all medium types. The 2023 Clio Cannabis Of The Year Winners are:
Agency Of the Year: Sister Merci
Brand Of the Year: Puffco
Puffco has the unique distinction of having been awarded in each of the five program cycles since Clio Cannabis was launched in 2019, and this year was a winner with multiple campaigns in Branded Entertainment & Content, Film & Video and Film & Video Craft. Meanwhile, Sister Merci was acknowledged for its work on the Cannabis Media Council’s “I’m High Right Now” campaign and earned statues in Advocacy, Digital/Mobile, Integrated Campaign, Print & Out of Home, and Print & Out of Home Craft.
“This year, we’re proud to continue to spotlight masterful storytelling that highlights the tangible ways that cannabis brands can have an impact on society,” said Michael Kauffman, Executive Director, Clio Cannabis. “It’s really moving to see how our Grand Clio Cannabis Award winners have invested in communicating their values and in shining a light on people in their communities. It’s a privilege to be celebrating them in this way.”
To view the full gallery of winning work, visit www.cliocannabisawards.com.
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About Clio Cannabis
Expanding on Clio’s enduring reputation for establishing best-in-class programs honoring creative ideas in a variety of specialized verticals, Clio Cannabis celebrates the creators at the forefront of cannabis marketing and communications. Launched in 2019, Clio Cannabis sets the bar for creative work in a rapidly growing industry, builds a greater understanding of a developing category, and elevates creative contributions from top talent and agencies.
About Clio
Clio is the premier international awards competition for the creative business. Founded in 1959 to celebrate creative excellence in advertising, Clio today honors the work and talent at the forefront of the industry in a variety of specialized fields, including: sports, fashion, music, entertainment, cannabis and health. As a leading authority on the diverse and ever-changing creative landscape, Clio celebrates creativity 365-days-a-year via its global ad database Ads of The World and its content platform Muse by Clio.