Cannes Lions: The best is yet to come!
Earlier this week, Thomas told us why next week's Lions are so important to the global advertising industry. Click here for a reminder. Most of this year's attendees have already jetted off, and will be tweeting and Instagramming up a storm next week.
To get you in the mood, I found out a little more from Thomas...
What's your absolute Cannes Lions highlight? 
Thomas: A few years ago, I was asked by Nestlé to show their CEO, Paul Bulcke, around the festival. He had his entire 23-person marketing team trailing around him. We were downstairs in the Palais and we were near the Design Lions shortlist exhibition, and he saw this piece of work - a piece of packaging for a battery company. And he was so excited when he saw it. He pulled over his whole team, and they were taking photographs of it and talking about how they could adapt the idea. It was so wonderful to see somebody of his stature being inspired by the work that gets shortlisted. For me, that was the whole point of our entire festival in one moment.
What can we look forward to from Cannes Lions 2015? Thomas: It's honestly going to be the best Cannes Lions to date. The content programme is a fantastic mix of creative disciplines - from rock star creatives and scientists to musicians and designers. The exhibition space has been completely revamped, bringing a focus onto the work and allowing delegates to gather inspiration from global creativity. This year, we also have our own beach. It brings a bit of the Festival outside of the Palais and will host some of its own content as well as act as a networking hub and place to relax.
Great insights from Thomas, but that's not all. It's set to be a full week of Cannes Lions talks, networking, awards ceremonies, galas and exhibitions. The 250 speakers scheduled to share insights include the likes of Sir Martin Sorrel, Bob Greenberg, Pharrell Williams, and even Kim Kardashian-West.
Local names to look out for, lit in lights...
There'll be celebrations aplenty if South Africa's Cannes Young Lions contestants Safaraaz Sindhi and Hanro Havenga walk away with the award, while Katherine Glover will have access to the jury rooms and learn what goes on behind the scenes as part of this year's Cannes Lions Be It, See It initiative.
What's your absolute Cannes Lions highlight? Thomas: A few years ago, I was asked by Nestlé to show their CEO, Paul Bulcke, around the festival. He had his entire 23-person marketing team trailing around him. We were downstairs in the Palais and we were near the Design Lions shortlist exhibition, and he saw this piece of work - a piece of packaging for a battery company. And he was so excited when he saw it. He pulled over his whole team, and they were taking photographs of it and talking about how they could adapt the idea. It was so wonderful to see somebody of his stature being inspired by the work that gets shortlisted. For me, that was the whole point of our entire festival in one moment.
What can we look forward to from Cannes Lions 2015? Thomas: It's honestly going to be the best Cannes Lions to date. The content programme is a fantastic mix of creative disciplines - from rock star creatives and scientists to musicians and designers. The exhibition space has been completely revamped, bringing a focus onto the work and allowing delegates to gather inspiration from global creativity. This year, we also have our own beach. It brings a bit of the Festival outside of the Palais and will host some of its own content as well as act as a networking hub and place to relax.
Great insights from Thomas, but that's not all. It's set to be a full week of Cannes Lions talks, networking, awards ceremonies, galas and exhibitions. The 250 speakers scheduled to share insights include the likes of Sir Martin Sorrel, Bob Greenberg, Pharrell Williams, and even Kim Kardashian-West.
Local names to look out for, lit in lights...
There'll be celebrations aplenty if South Africa's Cannes Young Lions contestants Safaraaz Sindhi and Hanro Havenga walk away with the award, while Katherine Glover will have access to the jury rooms and learn what goes on behind the scenes as part of this year's Cannes Lions Be It, See It initiative.
What can we look forward to from Cannes Lions 2015? Thomas: It's honestly going to be the best Cannes Lions to date. The content programme is a fantastic mix of creative disciplines - from rock star creatives and scientists to musicians and designers. The exhibition space has been completely revamped, bringing a focus onto the work and allowing delegates to gather inspiration from global creativity. This year, we also have our own beach. It brings a bit of the Festival outside of the Palais and will host some of its own content as well as act as a networking hub and place to relax.
Great insights from Thomas, but that's not all. It's set to be a full week of Cannes Lions talks, networking, awards ceremonies, galas and exhibitions. The 250 speakers scheduled to share insights include the likes of Sir Martin Sorrel, Bob Greenberg, Pharrell Williams, and even Kim Kardashian-West.
Local names to look out for, lit in lights...
There'll be celebrations aplenty if South Africa's Cannes Young Lions contestants Safaraaz Sindhi and Hanro Havenga walk away with the award, while Katherine Glover will have access to the jury rooms and learn what goes on behind the scenes as part of this year's Cannes Lions Be It, See It initiative.
I'm also keen to find out who will win the first 'Glass Lion: The Lion for Change' award, set to recognise work that breaks through unconscious gender bias and shatters stereotypical portrayals of men and women.
Little wonder then that Cannes Lions is referred to as "an unmissable seven days of networking, celebration, inspiration and learning under the Riviera sun."
Remember that we'll have more exclusive insights this week and exclusive feedback from Ann Nurock next week, who is attending as our first media correspondent on the ground this year! Watch our special Cannes Lions section, as well as our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts for all of Nurock's updates...
About Leigh Andrews
Leigh Andrews AKA the #MilkshakeQueen, is former Editor-in-Chief: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity.com, with a passion for issues of diversity, inclusion and equality, and of course, gourmet food and drinks! She can be reached on Twitter at @Leigh_Andrews.
