[Cannes Lions] What is a Cannes Lion worth?

CANNES, FRANCE: We are coming to the end of another Cannes. The big parties with small pieces of food. The champagne being consumed by ridiculously good-looking people [I swear some of them have been airbrushed or perhaps varnished; it's hard to tell through the fake tan]. The sharks that are smiling at you but looking over your shoulder to see who is more important. And, of course, egos and insecurities that could destroy even the bravest fashion victim. These things are all true; however, there is another side. Perhaps it is naive but beautiful as well. It is the side that belongs to the creators, not the critics.

It belongs to those who have stared at the ceiling at 3am in the morning trying to think of something. Those creatives late at night who are scared of blank pieces of paper. The special people who have to walk into boardrooms around the world and their only protection is a small idea that they desperately want to keep alive. It's for believing in an idea even when the stats and everybody say you're wrong or it can't be done. It's for those who are brave. It's for those who create.

Yes, you may say that it's just an award.

But I saw an Argentinean break down and cry when he was told he had won a Grand Prix after trying for 20 years. I saw a Turkish judge with tears streaming down his face phoning his wife to tell her he had won his country's first Gold. And I met a crazy New Zealand team who have sold shares in their future so they could raise money just to get here.

You see, Cannes is about what it means to you.

For some it's a shiny trinket, for others it's everything. The truth is somewhere in between. The truth is that behind the bravado and the posing, you walk the creative path on your own. Which means only you know how much a Cannes Lion is worth.

However, since we are in France, I will quote Napoleon to explain what I think.

"Glory may be fleeting but average is forever."

Tweets

Below are more of my tweets from Cannes. Follow me on Twitter at @D_Stapleton or view my tweets on the Bizcommunity twitterfall with some other South Africans at Cannes Lions.

Day 6

#tbwacannes being in a bar in France with 100 south Africans watching bafana win against the French was unbelievable. Vuvuzela 2 france 1
8:34 AM Jun 23rd via mobile web

Too hungover to keep tweeting must get wate.................
8:35 AM Jun 23rd via mobile web

#tbwacannes hunt lascaris goes up for gold what a night
11:52 PM Jun 23rd via mobile web

Day 7

Cannes beautiful if you win ugly if you lose. Beautiful and brutal.
about 18 hours ago via mobile web