PREVIEW-Advertisers meet in Cannes amid global downturn

* Economic downturn hits delegate numbers-reports

* Award entries 20 percent lower

* Mobile advertising, smart phones the hot topics

By Cyril Altmeyer

PARIS, June 22 (Reuters) - The tough economic present is hitting the turnout by ad industry future gazers debating hot topics like mobile advertising and smart phones at this week's Cannes festival.

The advertising sector gathering is renowned for its lavish boat trips and all-night beach parties.

But in a sign of tough times, organisers this year have multiplied incentives to lure belt-tightening delegates, giving tips on how to book cheap plane tickets and hotel rooms or advising participants to share cabs from the Nice airport.

Around 12,000 ad agency employees, art directors, marketers, producers, clients and other industry executives were initially expected to attend the week-long Cannes Lions 2009 festival which runs until June 27.

But according to some press reports, the number of registered ad professionals is down 40 percent this year. Asked to confirm the figure, a festival spokeswoman did not respond to a Reuters e-mail.

High-profile participants still include Maurice Levy, the head of France's Publicis (PUBP.PA) and Martin Sorrell, who runs WPP (WPP.L), the world's largest advertising group by revenue.

Sorrell will moderate the "Cannes Debate" seminar where ad officials will discuss how the recession is affecting the industry.

Some companies such as Havas (EURC.PA) or outdoor advertiser JC Decaux (JCDX.PA) have cut down on their presence at the festival, now in its 56th year.

Neither Havas Chairman Vincent Bollore nor Chief Executive Fernando Rodes will be spotted on the scenic La Croisette waterfront.

The festival also awards excellence with the so-called Lions trophies and hosts seminars and workshops. The number of projects in competition is, however, down 19.8 percent to 22,600, organisers said in a statement.

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