“LEAVE YOUR HIGH HEELS AT HOME”
Veterans’ top tips to make the most of Cannes .
How often have you been to Cannes?
I’ve been to the Cannes Lions festival five times; my first time was in 2010. I aim to attend every two years so it feels new. Our industry tends to work in 18-month cycles, so going every year gets a bit repetitive.
Why do you go to Cannes?
I have 50 meetings in a week with our clients, business partners and colleagues from all over the world on the same street, and inspirational talks from industry leaders and a smattering of celebrities. The weather isn’t bad either .
What’s good about going to Cannes?
In between the talks, the awards, the events, the parties and the inevitable scandals, it’s a perfect festival to get a real measurement of what’s trending, discuss the pressing issues, see what regions are driving creativity and the latest innovations in adland.
If you Cannes it properly, you should get a firm impression of where the advertising and media industry is headed, and that’s great for business leaders.
What’s the down side?
It’s very expensive. The festival ticket alone is equivalent to the monthly salary of a media account manager in the UAE. Then flights, accommodation and expenses. Hence most agencies are cutting their Cannes budget this year and sending fewer people.
Basically, when you are at the Intercontinental Carlton for lunch and someone offers to get the bill, let them.
What three pieces of advice would you give someone going for the first time?
Focus. Go for four days, plan your meetings, plan which talks you will attend and go easy on the parties.
Network. Talk to people, expand your circle and your mind. Use the Cannes festival networking app. It’s like Tinder for business.
Escape. People tend to forget they are in the beautiful south of France. Beyond the recommended dawn swimming session, book- end your Cannes trip with a visit to the old village of Vence and Saint Paul de Vence.