[Cannes Lions 2012] Arriving in Cannes

Michael Pearson: "Cheers! Bye! Have a jol! Good luck!" ...and then…27 hours after leaving our loved ones behind, we finally arrived in Cannes (via Istanbul and some unforeseen delays).

And what a place Cannes is – it literally hums with energy and the collective excitement of thousands of creatives waiting to find out whether they’ve won anything.

Last night we had our first experience of the infamous “Gutter Bar”, an establishment alongside the Martinez Hotel which has become a late night gathering place for Cannes-goers. When we arrived, at 11pm, the beers were a tidy €8. By the time we left, somewhat later, they had inexplicably risen to €11. You’ve got to love the French.

We also got a sense of the incredible scale of the Cannes Awards – in one evening we met people from Canada, Japan, Sweden, Germany, Belgium and Australia – it really is the biggest, most elaborate advertising show in the world.

The first shortlists were announced today, 18 June 2012, and as we predicted, McDonalds and Carling “Be The Coach” are already featuring heavily. Hold thumbs for them. The Metropolitan Republic “Braille Burger” is also emerging as a major contender.



Today, the next shortlists are announced and the speaking schedule begins, so hold onto your hats people, it’s going to get crazy.