THE OTHER SIDE OF CANNES – PART 2

“Andrew Tinningis wasted in Perth”.

When I first readthat comment on the CB national blog after Andrew won the Getty Images globalcompetition I thought it was a real-time observation from a spy camped in thebar at the Subi Hotel.

Then I realisedit was actually a judgement on talent versus environment. I beg to differ withthe blogger’s point of view.

OK, Tinning’shaul at Cannes has diminished since he fled his native NZ, and he would be thefirst to confess some discomfort with this fact.

But, “wasted” What a load of crap. And what a condescending comment on the WA market. For thefirst time ever, a number of Perth agencies (OK, three) are starting to scoreregularly at each of the ‘big four’ global shows and I reckon Andrew is leadingthe charge from the front.

This year, thereare no less than 20 Perth-based people at Cannes. Last year there were 9, theyear before 5.

The motivation isquite simple. You see where the bar sits and become inspired to reach it. Andlet’s face it, Perth products such as Matt Eastwood and Steve Back (to name butfour) have shown what can be done.

By 2009, Ipredict that at least one Perth agency will win a Gold Lion and then others inthe industry may start to ask, “what’s happening in Perth?”

A boldprediction? Wishful thinking?

Let’s see.