Creatives of a Brazilian campaign agency, Moma Propoganda, have been banned from next year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity after they used fake Kia Motors ads to win two awards at the Cannes awards.

Intended to promote the Kia Sportage’s dual-zone hot-and-cold climate control feature, the agency creatives illustrated family-friendly images on one side, juxtaposed with adult fantasies on the other to reflect contrasting images.

The ads were criticized for using sexual imagery and small children alongside each other.

However, Kia denied approving the ads, prompting the festival to launch an investigation.

Moma Propaganda could not provide proof that the campaigns were legitimately run and requested by Kia.

As a result, the festival stripped agencies of two awards -- a Silver Lion in the print category and a Bronze Lion in outdoor.

Furthermore, for the first time, Cannes festival disqualified the responsible creatives from entering nest year’s Cannes festival.

While Moma Propaganda refused to be contacted. Kia Motors Brazil public relations executive said it had no comment since it had not approved the campaign.

By Jung Eun-jung

(kristin2j@gmail.com)

Intern reporter