The recession is obviously going to have a big impact on the ad industry's annual beach party cum awards competition in Cannes, France. The total number of entries in this year's Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival totaled 22,652, a whopping 19.9 percent drop from last year's record-breaking 28,284. What a difference a year makes, eh?

The number of entries in the film category plummeted 25.4 percent, while press entries plunged 32 percent. Even the number of entries in the Cyber category took a big hit, dropping 20 percent. The Outdoor category was similarly affected, falling off 23 percent. There is major growth in one category. But that is because the PR category (for public relations entries) is new this year. It drew 431 entries. This year's Cannes Festival is slated for June 21 through 27.