I’m working, honestly: Paul Yole’s Cannes diary

Day 5, Thursday: Wednesday (Day 4) was a seminar-free day for me as I joined host Patsy Peacock from FBI Recruitment, the guys from CB, Roger Moore (yes, him) and many Australia, UK and New Zealand creative legends for a slow lunch at the world-famous La Colombe d’Or in St Paul de Vence.

Later we took in a party run by The Location Guide on the Majestic jetty.

Today had a couple of real highlights. The Saatchi & Saatchi new directors’ Showcase was one. You can see the new 2009 showcase on You Tube at www.youtube.com/nds.

The stand-out for me was the presentation by Barack Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe. As he was introduced by DDB’s Bob Scarpelli I actually felt a weird sense of emotion that later I discovered others did too.

Plouffe got a huge ovation from a fully packed auditorium. He did not disappoint and is almost as eloquent as his boss.

He told us how the real secret to the campaign was the way it blendedgrass roots work and technology. They had over 4 million online donorsgiving an average of $85 each.

They also had a massive army of volunteers, half of whom had never beeninvolved in a political campaign before so the volunteers work had agenuine sense of authenticity. They didn’t give the volunteers a script, they just gave them information and an instruction to “speakfrom your heart”

Plouffe also affirmed that the campaign was far from being only abouttechnology, with mass media like TV playing a major role in spreadingmessages quickly to many people at the same time

The New South Wales government is here this week, trying to sell Sydneyas a location destination and production resource hub. No doubt we’llfind out more at their party tonight but who’s next? Singapore? HongKong?

Lastly, I’m collecting a set of sayings that you NEVER hear in Cannes.Please send in your suggestions, but here is one to start…

“I’ve got so much cash left I’ve no idea how to spend it.”