LOLA MullenLowe’s Post

Being on the ground at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, here’s my initial dispatch: In 2010, Cannes Lions dropped the word “advertising.” It made sense at the time because there were starting to be so many new forms of advertising that didn’t fit the old mold. Branding-wise, I believe it was a great positioning move. Since then, the festival has grown tremendously. It now attracts so many people from so many different job functions and companies, not just agencies and production companies. So many new categories have been added also. Naturally, I thought there would be way more creative work entered into the show. Not so. Almost 40% less creative work. Does that mean this industry is now less about the work and creativity? Creatives used to own the word creativity. That may have been true in the context of advertising. However, in a borderless, always-on world where anyone can create, creativity no longer belongs to creatives only. I made this point to a strategist friend of mine near the Croisette today. He said candidly. It never did. #CannesLions #creativity #advertising

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Stress is horrific and dangerous. It can cause an adverse effect on your health, your wellbeing and your relationships. But not all stress is equal. Because when it’s born from a desire to satisfy your own or shared vision - rather than succumbing to the pressure and isolation of others - it can, as Si points out below, be a sign of giving a f*ck. It may not be cool to talk about ‘graft’ these days (which is very different to the dangers of ‘hustle culture’) but it’s still the foundation of standing any chance to make, do or create something special. We don’t talk about that enough. Not because I ever want to advocate for stress, but because I do want to celebrate craft, creativity and care. Or should I say, I want the people who act/claim they have all the answers to respect and acknowledge it … given they’ve never made any actual work and haven’t got the faintest idea what it takes or costs to make something proper good. Commercially, creatively, emotionally or artistically. So well done to everyone who put their work out there to be judged and criticised, regardless of the result. Few do. Few would. Because even though it’s business, it’s always - absolutely always - personal.

Captiv8 is thrilled to announce that we've been nominated for EIGHT Cannes Lions awards! 🏆 That's right! And we want YOU to join us on an unforgettable experience at the heart of the Croisette. Here's what we have in store for you: ⭐ Refresh & Recharge Suite: Located at the renowned Carlton Hotel, our suite offers cocktails and bites all day long, providing the perfect space to relax and network. ⭐ Daily ‘Ask Me Anything’ Conversations: Engage with top creators like Adam Waheed, Ally Love, and Jalen Noble. Get firsthand insights and inspiration from these industry leaders. ⭐ Custom VIP Experiences: Connect with iconic thought leaders driving the creator economy forward through exclusive, tailored experiences. Network, learn, and grow with the best in the business. ⭐ Dive into Hot Topics: Explore key discussions on Social Commerce, Connecting to Cultural Moments, the future of Measurement, Brand Safety, and more. ⭐ Get Ready With Me: Indulge in complimentary 30-minute makeup and hair styling sessions that'll have you feeling your absolute best for Cannes. Let us pamper you and ensure you're radiating confidence and glamour for the festivities! Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to elevate your Cannes Lions experience with Captiv8. Spaces are filling up fast, so RSVP today by emailing us at cannes@captiv8.io. We can't wait to see you there! Click here for more details: https://hubs.la/Q02zn6_z0 #Captiv8Cannes #CannesLions2024 #Creators #Culture #Relevance #MarketingInnovation #InfluencerMarketing #SocialStrategy

Meet Nestor Villegas, our Senior Art Director with a global impact! 🎨 From Coca-Cola to Pepsi, he's left his creative mark on major brands. Nestor's journey took him from McCann Colombia to Sancho BBDO, where he led game-changing campaigns. His talent hasn't gone unnoticed—he's snagged awards at Cannes Lions, New York Festivals, and more. But Nestor's not just about creating; he's about sharing knowledge too, teaching at Brother Creativity School. Isn't it amazing to have such a creative powerhouse on our team? 🚀 So if you want to know more about Nestor and our creative team, just hit the follow button for more behind-the-scenes stories! 🏆 #CreativeDirector #ArtDirector #AdIndustry #BrandingExpert #CreativeMinds #CreativeStrategy #VisualStorytelling #BrandVisionary #AdvertisingExcellence #CreativeTalent #strategicgrowth #brandidentity #visualidentity #visualbranding #strategicplanning #brandinginspiration #branddevelopment #MIAdigitalmarketing #miamibrandagency #miamismallbusiness #miamientrepreneurs

If you're planning a presence at #CannesLions2024, I would check out our webinar tomorrow for the best on-site tips!

Microtrends based solely on visual aesthetics are fading, with audiences primed for a more thought-provoking connection  https://lnkd.in/eKHuCcnf

In line with its precedent the ASA ruled against an advertiser who ran a prize draw to win backstage passes but on the day the backstage experience advertised (including riding on an artist's buggy) was not available. Promotors are responsible for all stages of a promo, so even if it's not your fault the talent refused to meet the competition winner the ASA will still find the ad in breach. Always key to ensure that you've got contractual remedies in place. But what I really want to know is whose touring management was it that did not want any public or competition winners backstage at the time and... why? #ASArulings #adregulation #advertisingregulations #adregs #advertisingregulation #section8 #salespromotions #prizedraws #awardtheprize

Saving for next year

Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has finally arrived! Here are some remarks you will hear every day around the Palais: 1. “Why the hell hasn’t anyone thought about this before?” – proven fact: great ideas make a lot of sense when they are mature and successful. The challenge is appreciating them when they are still young and fragile. 2. “I once had an idea just like this one!” – can I tell you a secret? The person behind this idea probably said that many times as well, about other ideas. So, keep trying until someone else says it about your idea. Also, remember it’s not just about the idea, it’s also about execution and delivery. 3. “Wow! How did they come up with that?” – answer: they weren’t afraid to look for it. They believed in it even when others didn’t. They found a way to sell and/or produce it. 4. “So simple, so smart!” – so hard to come up with! 5. “We would never be able to approve something like this at our agency / for our clients / in our market” – from my experience, people with a long-life span in advertising love the creative thinking process, not just the creative outcome. So… if you still enjoy the thinking part – you are fine. Also… maybe it’s time for you to decide: are you OK with thinking about solid ideas in a more conservative environment (which is not a bad thing) or is time to move to another agency or another market which can cater your hunger for more creative freedom (which is not a bad thing)? 6. “That’s a scam. It was aired maybe once.” – Creative Excellence is about real work for real clients which made a real impact. No argument here! However… there is a difference between “Creative Excellence” and “Creative Thinking Excellence”. “Creative Excellence” awards should celebrate effective creative ads which were approved by clients. “Creative Thinking” awards can also celebrate amazing original disruptive thinking in general. What if… Cannes Lions added a category for exceptional creative thinking? NO RULES. Pure creative thinking. About ideas which a jury believes should be produced, not necessarily ideas a client will approve. The prize: financing the winning idea and bringing it to life. And a Lion. Of course… 7. “Maybe next year…” – YES. There is always next year! Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity #CannesLions2024 #CL2024 #LIONS2024 #Creativity #CreativeThinking #CreativeExcellence MindscapesCreativity