A quiet start to Cannes Lions this year. A good number of adlanders were still getting in, and more are expected on Monday so that’s a better day to take stock. That there are more clients in Cannes this year is undeniable. What value they see in attending Cannes is a line of thought I shall chase mid-festival when I talk to some of them. So in an industry that loves superlatives, the first question is always likely to be - is it louder, noisier, and bigger than last year? Louder and noisier, yes. And the football fever isn’t helping matters.
I witness a loud, seemingly impromptu wedding dance on the streets of Cannes the first day I get in, with Moroccan music, accompanying vuvuzelas, and a dancing bride and groom. Flash mob? Turns out it’s not but it’s a good diversion nonetheless.
As far as 2010 goes, participation is up, for entries as well as number of delegates. And that’s always reason for cheer. Monday stuff I am looking forward to? The TED@Cannes series, some chat time with author and web visionary Clay Shirky. Conversations with R/GA’s Bob Greenberg and Piyush talking at the Campaign UK sponsored session, ‘Lessons from when Soho’s Mad Men ruled the earth’. It’s all in there and I’m getting to it. A good dinner and some well-needed sleep lie somewhere in between.
