Cogs in Cannes – Day one

by Paul Coglan, senior creative, Meerkats.

As a Cannes first-timer, I have to say, this place is amazing. LOVING it.

So many different cultures, equally passionate about their craft, loading up on all the amazing work and learnings from around the world.

I’m glad I was the first in the world to arrive on Sunday morning (yes, as you can see in the photo out the front, there’s no one else around) because I could get my head around everything before the massive throng arrived. Kim’s asked me to do my top five for each day. So here goes:

1 – Malcolm Gladwell, the famous author, told everyone that in order to be successful, don’t be the first to invent something, be the third. He then recounted examples, including Steve Jobs basically just taking existing inventions and tweaking them slightly to then become successful. Very interesting perspective. He was an awesome speaker, very passionate – a great storyteller. And his hairstyle is quite Kramer-esque, which was also cool.

2 – Clems Melbourne winning the PR Grand Prix for their NAB ‘Break up’ campaign. What an amazing result, to be the best in the world in a category. Those Clems guys just keep smashing it. Clems Melbourne ECD Ant Keogh pictured left at the CB Party on Monday evening.

3 –  Press and outdoor shortlists – all the work really is at another level. A key thing, and you probably see it every year, is the amazing amount of time and energy that’s poured into the Art Direction of each layout. Where do they find the hours?! Some of the ideas blew my mind. Let’s see what picks up metal tonight.

4 – The French barman at the Campaign Brief Party was hilarious. Actually, someone I was speaking to summed him up beautifully – a French Basil Fawlty. Everyone who went up to get a drink was greeted by a bewildered expression, almost like he didn’t understand why he was there, and why we were there for that matter. Funny stuff.

5 – There are some really cool things happening in the advertising world. Tweets are the new currency, Kia have created the world’s first crowd-sourced car. You just need to walk around all the shortlists in every category and see how agencies have managed to take what we all know and nudge it into new and exciting areas.   

Looking forward to today and whatever it will bring.