Tony Case’s Post

On Cannes, Part 2. To get the most out of your Cannes experience, a few pointers from someone who has been there, done that, many times (me below, keynoting on my favorite topic - brand narrative and storytelling, in the world of the ephemeral web): 1. Look at the Work - take a day, or two, to really look at the work. It's a trope to believe that all the inspo, comes from listening to panel discussions about how long walks on the beach fuel someone's creativity. No doubt, it does. But, pass on a few and take the time, to really look at the work. Absorb it, study it, learn about how it was made. Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity does an amazing job of exhibiting all of the award entries, so take the time to explore. 2. Schedule Key Meetings, Ahead of Time - Cannes publishes a list of all the attendees. Rarely are most key players in our industry, gathered in one place for so long. Do take the time to set up one on one meetings, with the folks that really matter to you. Equal parts, business and inspiration. 3. Avoid the Gutter Bar - yes, I've been there. I know the scene. If you do go, leave by 22:00. Late nights and hangovers, are better left for your time back home. Make the most of Cannes - and the dollars being spent on you to attend - by being on your best form, well-rested and clear-eyed to properly digest all that Cannes has to offer. 4. Take Notes, Share Notes - if you take notes as if you're in Uni, you'll better absorb the material being shared. You'll be more present in the moment, engrossed in the creative discussions happening all about you. Yes, your friends and colleagues back home will delight in seeing you holding a Rose at a beach party...but they'll be forever indebted, if you impart some wisdom and help them better understand, what was discussed. SHARE your notes. Nothing creates better absorption of material, than sharing your pov and takeaways, with your colleagues and mates. Record to share, and apply your pov - because your take on the event, is value-added indeed. Ok...more soon! SOCIALDEVIANT #Cannes #Creativity #Lessons #Advertising #CreativeAwards

Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, we need to talk… Year after year you have challenged me to be bold, be creative, be effective, be efficient. Immerse myself in the business, build strong agency partnerships, and fuel my strategic thinking. For a long time, I believed that self-improvement was the key to joining the elite conversations at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. After years of learning from industry giants like Peter Field, Mark Ritson Byron Sharp Orlando Wood James Hurman I felt ready to be part of that dialogue. But Cannes, we seriously need to talk. The reality is that attending to the “Athens of marketing and creative effectiveness” remains a distant dream for many of us as the cost of participation is prohibitively expensive. To my fellow marketers who feel the same: I HEAR YOU! We are expected to push the boundaries of creativity and effectiveness, yet we are often left out when it matters most. And to Cannes, you are truly an inspiration for many of us, but when talking about consumer centricity, you need to revisit your business model to give us some entry level. Common, be creative 😊! Until we can meet physically, I will continue to advocate from the distance the spirit of Cannes Lions—effectiveness’s, boldness, creativity—as a state of mind. Looking forward to meet in the upcoming years, Gaby #MarketingLife #CannesLions #CreativeExcellence #IndustryChallenges #StayConnected #MarketingCommunity

On Cannes, Part One. I'm not attending Cannes this year (we've won some huge accounts quite recently and have arms full at the moment, in a good way). But I've attended in the past, countless times, and spoken/keynoted on several occasions. Career highlights, for sure. It's an amazing festival of creativity, run and managed by incredibly talented, kind humans (Philip Thomas Paul Kemp-Robertson Steve Latham and many more). Leading up to next week, I aim to post a few tips for ensuring a highly successful week, for those who plan to attend. Tip #1 - make sure you connect with the giants of our industry. They, like you, are there to listen and learn. Don't be shy. They have a treasure trove of knowledge and if you time it just right, they might even be willing to share. Here's just a few of our industry's giants, and a few personal heroes, that I had the pleasure to spend time with during a few stints at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity: Sir John Hegarty (a dear friend and former colleague, and the most brilliant thinker I know) Sir Martin Sorrel (a new introduction. was worth it) Michael Conrad (a former Burnett colleague, genius creative and the finest human alive) David Bell (a friend and colleague, and the most strategic, and decent, person you'll ever meet) SOCIALDEVIANT #connections #creativity #lessons

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

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.

As I prepare for another Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, I am filled with anticipation and excitement. If not for the pandemic pause, this would be my 25th year attending this incredible event. Like all of you, I am so happy the festival is back and bigger and better than ever, and I can’t wait to hear from some of the industry’s sharpest minds and most creative thinkers this week. Cannes is the perfect place to see everyone and do everything, all at once. From servicing DiGennaro Communications’s global roster of leading brands. publishers, platforms and agencies to swapping ideas with journalists and industry peers, it is a hub where connections are made and ideas come to life. With so many of our clients and other friends on the ground, Cannes is that rare chance to engage face-to-face—and the collective power of the guests at Cannes, like at the annual POSSIBLE conference this past April in Miami, means lots of opportunities for deal-making. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed about it all (and who isn’t?), here are a few tips I’ve come to find useful over the years: 1) Survey the Croisette Early. Do a dry run before it gets too crowded. Check out all the activations and set-ups. This year will bring some changes due to construction, so it’s essential to stay updated. 2) It’s All About Logistics. Cannes is a very walkable city, but staying on top of all the where’s and when’s will save you a lot of time and hassle. 3) Go Off the Beaten Path. While everyone at Cannes seems to compete for the same five restaurants, I encourage you to be adventurous. The side streets offer fantastic dining options—after all, you can never go wrong with frites, profiteroles and, of course, rosé! 4) Be Prepared. You never know whom you’ll run into or find yourself sitting by. While old-school business cards might seem a relic of the past, they still do the trick when it comes to rapid-fire networking. 5) Embrace Spontaneity. While it’s tempting to overcommit, the most magical moments very often come from simply bumping into people. Be sure to leave space in your calendar for those spontaneous opportunities. This is shaping up to be the biggest Cannes Lions ever. If you can’t make it, be sure to follow #TeamDGC’s live coverage on Instagram and Twitter, Inc. X, and daily recaps of all the highlights here on LinkedIn. And if you are going to be on the ground, I look forward to seeing you there. Bon semaine! #CannesLions2024 #Innovation #Creativity #Marketing #Advertising #Media #Tech #Brands #TeamDGC #DGCannes2024

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

T minus a few days until I'm heading to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity! This event has become an annual adventure filled with business, creativity, media, and marketing.     For the second year in a row, my family is coming along, and I'm super excited to see other executives also bringing their young adult children. It's such a fantastic opportunity for them to see the world through our lens of networking and idea exchange on a global scale. The "Each one teach one" philosophy really shines here. My kids, now high schoolers, learned so much last year as creators, young investors, and curious minds. They attended talks and brand experiences while I was busy working—it was the perfect setup!    The Cannes Lions Festival is incredibly significant as it brings together the most creative minds and influential leaders in media and marketing. My goal is to dive deep into the latest trends, make meaningful connections, and bring fresh, innovative ideas back to my work.    Balancing work and family during this trip is really important to me; just as it is when I'm at home. A goal of mine in 2024 was to be consistent with my routine and how present I am for my family whether traveling or working from home. While I'll be wrapped up in professional activities, my family will get to explore and soak in the festival's diverse offerings. It's a win-win, creating a memorable and enriching experience for all of us.    #CannesLions #WomenInMarketing #MarketingSolutions #BusinessGrowth #BusinessGoals #BrandBuilding #WorkingMom #WomenInMedia #ThePathRedefined

The most diverse and inclusive Cannes? This year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has been dialogued as the most inclusive in its history. It’s absolutely I mportant to celebrate and applaud the number of internal and external initiatives that have led to that conversation being had👏🏾 However, whether that statement is true or false, the optic shifts shouldn’t blindside us from the huge amount of work needed to include the world’s diverse reality across all facets of the media and advertising world. In front of camera, it’s easy to make a case that, for some groups, underrepresentation is a thing of the past. But when there’s still relative homogeneity in who’s involved in the decision making, narrative telling and data collection, misrepresentation becomes the important word to focus on. In my eyes, Cannes is a week of opportunity, serendipity and fosters an environment that allows typically guarded seniors to be human - it’s great. But as a microcosm of the industry at large, scratch beneath the surface and things need to (and will) improve. 🤨Where were all the young people? So many conversations about Gen-z with not much presence from that age demographic. As Ebinehita Iyere perfectly put, “we’re talking about them and making bold statements but they’re not here. And tbh this environment isn’t somewhere I’d think to bring the young people I work with.” 💰A disconnect between the millions spent to shmooze, wine and dine, whilst cuts are still being made across the board. Something that still doesn’t sit right with me. 👍Not enough disagreement. If Cannes is all about creative excellence, panels shouldn’t be designed to just be a nodding match with a ‘love what was said, let me build’ type of engagement. I think Damian Bradfield put it a lot better than that 😂 💡Too much talk about trends that the industry rather than the consumer sets. A couple of years ago it was the metaverse, this year everything was about AI. Things might come to the light, but let’s not force it. And let’s make sure these are convos actually being had on the ground rather than in our ivory towers. 🏛️Optics of diversity but not enough equitable and structural change. Still no accessibility ramp on a load of beaches 🤷🏾♂️ A big highlight of my week was this talk at Goals House which was a refreshing space away from the madness, talking all things disruption w/ Gail Gallie, Damian Bradfield, Leah Davis & Taso Du Val. Sorry but I’m really terrible at keeping up to date so Cannes posts for the week 😂

Headed to Cannes next week and not sure what to prioritize? 🤔 Our U.S. CMO Mark Singer shared his advice for making the most of your time at Lions with The Drum’s Richard Draycott. His top tips?: ✅ A little bit of prepping goes a long way. Avoid the chaos and plan ahead! ✅ Ask yourself: what are you hoping to accomplish in Cannes? Build a schedule with a list of objectives. ✅ Make sure the value of Cannes resonates beyond the south of France. From meetings to sessions, use your new-found knowledge and connections to positively impact your business goals for the rest of the year. Will we see you on La Croisette? https://deloi.tt/4aSbRrf