Elliott Starr’s Post

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

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

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

🦁 Are you up-to-date with the game-changing updates coming to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Awards this year? 2024 brings a suite of transformative changes to the Cannes Lions, and understanding them is crucial for any creative professional or agency looking to make a mark. 🔍 From the introduction of the Luxury & Lifestyle Lions to the new additions to submission formats, every change has the potential to impact your strategy and success. But how exactly will these changes affect your entries? Are you prepared to navigate the new landscape of creativity and innovation these updates will bring? We've delved deep into each of these changes in our latest blog post, providing a comprehensive breakdown and insights on what they mean for you. This isn't just about staying informed – it's about gaining a competitive edge in one of the industry's most prestigious arenas. 🏆 🌟 And if you just don't want to think about it all but still shine at Cannes Lions 2024? We are here to guide you through these new waters. Let’s make Cannes 2024 your year of triumph - send us a DM and see how we can help you navigate Cannes. #CannesLions2024 #Advertising #CreativeStrategy https://lnkd.in/d2tgzwmP

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

It’s simple: Purpose is effective when purpose is done for a brand and company whose values and intentions are authentic.

My Top Tips for Cannes in a cool article. 💥

Awesome post. I'm taking the liberty of making an excerpt from the post, because it offers an almost tangible pathway to a new audience, as well as to a new context of logical and feasible actions. Congratulations Ms. Hogan. QUOTE: Cannes is the biggest advertising festival in the world. It’s a strange and discombobulating place to be an activist… but I believe that these are the spaces where we need to be showing up in numbers. If I only speak to rooms of people who nod along, I’m probably in an echo chamber. And we won’t solve this crisis from inside one. If instead of propping up destructive industries like fossil fuels, aviation, fast fashion, or mass-produced meat and dairy, it promoted a regenerative economy, which put wellbeing and nature ahead of profit? If instead of allying itself with influencers promoting consumption, it allied itself with activists fighting for justice? The climate crisis is not a logistical challenge so much as a cultural one; it’s a story we’ve failed to tell. As I shared on the main stage, we urgently need communicators and creatives. We need folks with these skills to not only sound the alarm, but show that another world is possible. UNQUOTE. In my humble opinion, she is 200% correct. One of the several great points within the text, it's about the approach to a new public and audience. Thank you, Ms. Hogan for offering great new lights to the playing field.

✨ 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 #Networking #IndustryInsights #FirstTimer #AdIndustry

Divided on Cannes My Linkedin feed has been stuffed full of updates from last week’s Cannes advertising festival - so this will be my last on that. What really struck me though, was how divided people’s views seem. One post gushing and full of praise for the fact that it felt different from previous years - more joyful, inclusive and celebratory. The next post incredulous that the world’s largest plastic polluter could pick up a Grand Prix award for telling people to recycle more. Then a post with a delighted group winning on stage. A big career moment. Followed by a post about how tone deaf the spending of the big brands and networks felt in a year when a huge number of people working in advertising and marketing have been laid off and are struggling to find employment. I guess what you make of Cannes comes down to where you’re standing.  What’s clear is that the place is not ‘together’. Cannes has always been a juxtaposition of advertising industry extremes.   On the one hand, creative, inspiring and exciting - and on the other hand, self-congratulatory, out of touch and with a serious lack of self-awareness. It is an industry where there remains an incredible amount of creative talent. Imagine if we could wean ourselves off the Pavlovian conditioning for awards and work beyond the old frameworks and institutions of advertising, to help create some real, positive change. I think that could be incredibly powerful. And is definitely doable too. What do you think?  #Advertising #Marketing #Cannes #Awards #Sustainability #ClimateChange #Purpose