Forgive me for not posting for the last two days for instead I spent them flat on my back or in the bathroom with food poisoning. However while I was contributing nothing, a bunch of Aussies were collecting gongs left right and centre which is fantastic.
On returning to the action I spent most of the day in seminars. One of the great things about Cannes is the calibre of the speakers. On today’s list was musician Lou Reed, Tumblr founder David Karp as well as in previous days catching Conan O’Brien, Jack Black, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and Sean Combs aka Puff Daddy and now P Diddy.
Introducing speakers from outside our business but with strong links creatively makes it feel like your time at Cannes is genuinely worthwhile. You learn a lot and it’s a real buzz. There are not many places that you could see these speakers (and I have mentioned just a few) in one place at one time.
They are invited along by various marketing and media groups, mainly the big global guys. Basically to sparkle their own star, fair enough and good on them. They are the ones that bring these guys here and we should be thankful.
But sometimes you have to wonder if they get a little too caught-up in showing off. A touch of public masturbation possibly?
Take OMD’s seminar with McLaren featuring Jenson Button. Formula One car and on stage pit-stop but quite clearly Jenson didn’t know really why he was there or relevant to the audience. Just reeked of look at how cool we are. He’s an F1 driver you know and we know him. Straight up.
Mostly this is not the case. Sean Combs was great talking collaboration and humbled by the audience, unexpectedly so. Jack Black was inspiring and insightful as you would expect on comedy. And Conan, well the bloke is just amazing and his insights into social media, wow. Social media to a large degree rebuilt his career. But why do the hosts always have their CEO or CMO hosting the talks. They are no doubt impressive individuals at what they do but the stand-out seminars are when a professional host or moderator is on stage. Just as Anderson Cooper CNN anchor hosted Conan. Quite simply great to watch. Hats off.
All in all, the seminars are bloody great. We know who the hosts are and we are thankful, maybe just step a little out of the spotlight and let the talent run the show.
Wonder if I’d be any better in their spot…
Glen Condie
Creative director
Wonder