[Cannes Lions judges] Where to start - the entries, the work, or the place?

Janet Kinghorn: Cannes itself has not changed since I was here last in 1999. Men and women still wander up and down Le Croisette in white linen suits and fancy dresses. But the difference this time is that design is really starting to become a big player here.

For years, this festival has been dominated by advertising and concept-driven work. After looking at the awarded work last night in the Design Lions category, I am proud to say that it looked like design, not just advertising that had design elements.

My experience here has been inspiring, funny, moving, frustrating but also extremely rewarding.

There was an amazing humanity within our panel. A fantastic bunch from around the world (New Zealand, China, Sweden, UK, Japan, US, Canada, Germany, Singapore and, of course, Brazil) who have given me the opportunity to look at the world and design in a new way.

There are always common themes at these kinds of events. This year it was definitely about collaboration. It was about different disciplines, technologies and people working together for a common goal using design as a kind of glue, which was very encouraging to see.

The only thing that was disappointing for me was how few South African entries there were. So, if I can leave you with one thing:

Make great work filled with possibility and ideas - it might just change the way someone sees your brand.

Janet Kinghorn, ECD of The Brand Union
2011 Design Lions judge
@biginmyhead