Digital Voices’ Post

✨ First Impressions at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity ✨ If this was your first or second time, please share your POV in the comments.⤵ Attending the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for the first time has been an incredible experience. This event, renowned as the largest annual advertising gathering, promised a wealth of insights and opportunities to network with the brightest minds in our industry. 🕶 However, amidst the excitement, I couldn't help but notice the overwhelming presence of celebrities. While it's exciting for some to see familiar faces, it often felt like the essence of the festival—creativity and industry insights—was overshadowed. The abundance of celebrity appearances seemed to shift the focus away from the core purpose: to learn, share, and grow as professionals in advertising. For many, that was why they were there, and to each their own. From this observation, and after reviewing the overwhelming amount of individual apps, programming emails, group chat recos, and LinkedIn posts I resolved to do the following: 1️⃣ Prioritize panel discussions and workshops: Featuring industry leaders and experts who are known for providing actionable insights and thought-provoking discussions vs. outside-of-the-industry theory. 2️⃣ Attend the more intimate networking events: Smaller, focused gatherings where I could connect more meaningfully without the distraction of celebrity fanfare. 3️⃣ Navigated to talks that highlighted emerging or disruptive Talent: I love to hear from up-and-coming creatives whose fresh and atypical perspectives can inspire and invigorate the industry. 🔆 Cannes Lions has the potential to be a beacon of creativity and innovation, a place where industry professionals can come together to celebrate and advance the art of advertising, but you have to decide that is what you will get from the experience -- if that is what you want. 📣 General industry PSA: Let’s bring back the essence of creativity over celebrity to marketing and advertising. #CannesLions #CannesxCulture #CreativityOverCelebrity #Advertising #Marketing #RandsRecap #Networking #IndustryInsights #FirstTimer #AdIndustry

Along with the other 99.9% of people and brands in the marketing-advertising industry not represented at the event, the Cannes festival passed me by last week. Which is a shame, as I didn’t even get round to designing my annual t-shirt. So, it's a bit of an afterthought this year. Not my best work by some distance, a bit cliched and derivative, to be honest. However, this entry does give me a chance to reflect on my milestone 27th consecutive year not attending the festival. Which, given the number of categories and winners this year, you would think would be worthy of a metallic lion-shaped prize of some kind. While I have nothing against these or any other awards, what has bugged me for a number of years is how agency groups can spend millions of dollars on an elite party and entertainment schedule, go home with paid-for awards of various descriptions, making sure they have bought enough replica statues to display in global offices that had precisely nothing to do with the ‘winning work’, and then go back to HQ to issue directives to their regions and markets as to how many people they need cut in order to balance costs and deliver annual synergy targets. I never bought into the trickle down economics of these events. In my experience it is an event for the few, paid for by the many. Nothing ever trickled down to the people or the clients in most markets. No benefits, no rewards, no investment, just costs and redundancies, because those flights, hotel rooms, parties and award entries don't fund themselves. Of course this is just my experience, other experiences are equally valid, I am sure. Happy Monday. Peace ✌

Did you know that last Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity no one was awarded the 'Grand Prix for Good'? Indeed, it was the only category at Cannes not to have work deemed 'good' enough to win a Lion. We believe the industry can do better, and this year we aim to highlight some of the work that is trying to do 'good' with our 'Walk the Work: The Responsible Edit' tours. Spaces are filling up fast, so if you'd like to sign up to a tour, or indeed sit down and grab a coffee with Responsible Marketing Agency, please click on the link in the comments below. Alice Brady Aina Fuller #canneslions2024 #responsiblemarketing #responsiblemedia #sustainablemarketing

Having let the train take the strain, Stuart Button, our Executive Creative Director, shares his first impressions of Cannes 2024: “Cannes is here again . . . as adland's hopefuls descend on southern #France for some much-needed vitamin D. “The commercialisation of this 70+ year old creative festival continues with more brands showing up than ever before. “Judging by the fringe event talks, AI is still top of the agenda - only this time, it's less: 'We're all doomed!' and more 'we're all going to be rich!'. “As well as AI and D&I, sports is sticking its hand in the air for some much-needed attention (Stagwell's awesome sports beach by Cheerful Twentyfirst is now double the size). “What with the #Euros and #Olympics coming to #France (although you wouldn't know it - it's pretty mute from what I've seen), they’re even parading the old torch thingy down La Croisette tomorrow. “The other topic that's still going strong, is that dirty word 'effectiveness'. The thing that all clients want and creatives struggle to care about. “With stuff like ‘advertising value chain’, ‘digital waste’ and ‘closed-loop attribution’ being thrown around . . . If I didn't know any better, I'd say marketeers were making up stuff just to sell more things. Sneaky little buggers. “Is it any wonder that advertising has only just dropped off the top spot of the UK's LEAST trusted industry for the first time in a decade. “According to Simon Stone, of LoopMe GM International: ‘There is no point in creating the next Guinness Surfer if fragmented viewing habits, skippable ads, and decreasing attention spans prevent it from being seen. Creative remains essential to branding, but only when supercharged with data-driven media placement.' “I mean, I'd love to write the next Guinness Surfer ad - effectiveness be damned! “But then, what's the point in doing what we're doing if absolutely no one cares? And, according to Mark Ritson, no one does. “Hey ho - off to my first event I go.” #cannes2024 #canneslions #events #festivalofcreativity

Cannes Lions has its own ‘walled garden’ – but is it a bug or a feature? In my final column covering this year’s festival, I ask why there is still a (very physical) disconnect between the creative and media industries here in Cannes - and why creativity isn't just a realm for the ‘big ideas’ visionaries. With even the Lions judges themselves saying that the standard of some entries “just wasn’t exceptional” and with creatively awarded ads now performing ‘average’ compared to previous years, do we need a rethink on what modern marketing creativity actually is? And is this a way to build a more joined up festival next year? Read my full column in the comments below, FREE TO READ today alongside my five daily travelogue articles written on the ground in Cannes Lions 2024. Just login or create a free account for early bird access to all 6 articles. Thank you to... Hugh Stevens, LiveRamp, Orlando Wood, System1, Sir John Hegarty, The Garage Soho, Charlotte Rawlings, Campaign UK, Andrew Tindall, System1 ...for their input and/or inspiration in writing this article. Joseph Arthur Jyoti Rambhai Reem Makari Celine Yaseen Samantha Johnston Jess MacDermot #performancemarketing #canneslions #marketing #creativity

While everyone (looking at you Michael Thill) is off enjoying the sun and creativity at Cannes Lions, here I am, not jealous at all. Seriously, not one bit jealous. Not even a little. For those unfamiliar, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a premier event in the advertising and communications industry. It runs from June 17-21 this year and features over 150 hours of content with around 500 speakers from across the globe. Icons like Deepak Chopra, Jay Shetty, and representatives from top companies like Google and P&G are sharing insights and innovations that are shaping the industry. https://lnkd.in/gv7s3rQH Why do we flock to events like this? The draw is in both the recognition and the opportunity for professional growth. From a behavioral science perspective, humans have a deep-seated desire for validation and acknowledgment. Awards like the Cannes Lions provide a platform to be judged and, hopefully, celebrated for our creativity and hard work. But why do we want to be judged? The answer lies in the psychological satisfaction of recognition, which can enhance self-esteem and motivate continued excellence. Beyond personal satisfaction, there are significant business reasons for pursuing these accolades. Winning at Cannes can enhance a company’s reputation, attract new clients, and justify higher fees for services. In essence, these awards are a tangible marker of success and a powerful marketing tool. However, at Havas Edge we believe that the best award is the trust and loyalty of our clients. While it's great to be recognized on such a prestigious stage, our ultimate goal is to consistently deliver value and results for our clients, day in and day out. That, to us, is the most meaningful accolade of all. Still, would be nice to be there.

🎉Marketing Strategy Mini session Week 3 🎉 This week, Rita shared insights on marketing and the infamous Fyre Festival. In my view, Fyre Festival was a total scam, and the marketers did an exceptional job creating hype that ultimately led to this disaster. She posed an interesting question: "Do marketers hold responsibility for what happened?" 🤓 Unfortunately, I was working and couldn’t join the discussion 😔 I remember reading about Fyre Festival when I was in Hong Kong in 2017. I was baffled by how many people were willing to pay such high prices to attend. Now, I understand why: ➡ Clear positioning ➡ Strong visual elements ➡ Partnering with the right influencers who had the right audience ➡ Creating urgency!!! That’s how they managed to draw so many people in. I believe marketers do hold some responsibility here; they should have thoroughly researched the company before promoting it. Rita also shared what the American Marketing Association defines as essential principles for marketers: ⭐ Do no harm ⭐ Foster and maintain integrity ⭐ Embrace ethical values I think these standards should apply not just to marketers but to every profession! Rita Cidre #marketingstrategy https://lnkd.in/eyuEhJEe

Unpacking Cannes Notes 🕶 ☀ ⛱ I’ve gone through my camera roll, notebook, and enthusiastic texts to friends to pull together my takeaways from this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity ⚽ Athletes were the real players. - A few weeks before the Olympics start, in their host country, it’s no surprise that big-name athletes were the biggest draw this year. I think it's going to stay this way. Why? These athletes have gone from brand ambassadors to CEOs – we got a taste of their brilliance at Stagwell Sport Beach and I’m inspired by Margaret (Midge) Purce and the upcoming OffSeason FC, Megan and Sue’s media prowess, the Kelces’ influence, and the burgeoning LOVB pro women's volleyball league. 🎬 What is a media company? - So much innovation and reinvention of what a media company should look like. TikTok speaking the language of marketing, Pinterest betting on experience, and Netflix showcasing legendary IP, there was a lot of exploration of what the future of entertainment looks like… and it was pretty fun.  🤖 AI everywhere except where it matters - AI was talked about so much, but not a lot was said, or shown. The loudest message I heard asserts that AI cannot replace the human magic of ideas… which is a take I do not believe will survive until Cannes 2025. Dismissing its potential will have swift impact on creative businesses. 😍 “Go see the work” - Sometimes people give you good advice. To in fact do the most obvious thing which is go see the work the whole festival is meant to celebrate (but is at least in part buried in the basement of the Palais). The work is universally good. Has real ideas in it. Surprises. Uses technology smartly. Some I loved: WhatsApp, JCDecaux and Mars Petcare 🤝 The rise of creative diplomacy - This is a tricky time to do great work. Every leader who did pull off the feat of great marketing spoke about building allyship, educating their counterparts, building structural data or Ip partnerships, etc. This no better captured that by Morgan Flatley, CMO of McDonald's choosing to share the stage with her partner in transforming the McDonald's brand – their CFO. Cannes was full of impromptu meet ups, delightful conversations with new friends, and reunions on the beach with others. I’m excited to read everyone else’s takeaways, and most excited to put these ideas into action.

Hey guys, it's one of my favourite times of the year. It's Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Week(June 17-25)! The most anticipated time (With the Super Bowl ads in close second) for creatives and advertising folks worldwide. If you are one of the unlucky people that won't be in France, then get ready to be peppered with loads of unmissable events. From speeches, masterclasses from idols you will never meet, to awards you only dream of winning, and after parties that are better than most wedding ceremonies, you will be missing them all. #fact. Don't blame yourself, it may not be totally your fault. Maybe, you did some great work but your agency was too broke or stingy to submit your entry. Maybe they did and you didn't make the shortlist #Sorry, better luck next time. But if you didn't do any great work, I am sure you have accepted your faith in enjoying every moment via the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity page on this app. Just like people drool over other people's lives on the gram, you too can live vicariously through the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity page. How do I know this? I know, because I attended the festival last year via my LinkedIn page and I intend on doing it again this year because going to Cannes is cost! It's not child's play when you are paying over an average of 5,000 Euros just for tickets to the festival. Let's even say I’m on a diet and intend to fast for a week, we haven’t bought flight tickets or booked hotel rooms! #Itiswell Truth is, attending and winning @ Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is one of the top ranking things on my bucket list and I intend on making that happen one day but until then, I have mounted my bed on the streets of LinkedIn because I'm not missing a beat. So to everyone attending, please share pictures, recordings and everything shareable for us humble kids. Good luck to everyone, every agency shortlisted and cheers to a great week. P.S. Since you guys have no plans of attending Cannes this year(not like you can if you wanted to 😜) , you may as well click the link https://lnkd.in/dRzGPcrb and hop over to Advertising Anonymous Podcast and listen to some Cannes winning guest over there😎. Cheers

OMG. Someone wrote something about Cannes without totally shitting all over it or saying "I remember when it used to be cool." (Me. I did.) Enter: 'Is everyone winning a Grand Prix except me? (A non-hating, pragmatic assessment of advertising and marketing awards.)' Here's that link now: https://lnkd.in/eKe6D4ms Here are some things they (I) said: "I’m not that into having affairs and licking MDMA off my hand. So I don’t tend to go to many industry events, period. But why does Cannes get all the shade when there are so many advertising and marketing award festivals playing a similar game? Is there anything more uniquely “broken” with Cannes than any of its competitors? Not that I’m aware of. I genuinely believe Cannes receives the hate and “I remember when it used to be cool” that it does because of the excess and debauchery of some of the behaviour that surrounds the festival. The world does not need more people hating on Cannes, or claiming they were there in the halcyon days. So, please, think of this as more as a ponder piece. Besides, I find it too convenient that most people berating awards and claiming they will never enter them, already have office shelves full of them. Award shows have always been great at distorting reality, making us wonder why we’re not all constantly writing award winning work that creates more impressions than 100x the population of planet earth. So, whilst I'm acknowledging that reality distortion, I’m not encouraging not entering. I’m just hoping I can inspire a slightly healthier mindset in people, that might in turn lead to less suffering and disillusionment. Perhaps go easier on yourself next year if you don’t win." #Cannes #Creativeagency #Advertising #Marketing #Creativity