Cannes closes with strong message - Yes we can
Ng
Published: Jun 29, 2009
Enough has been said about the dip in entries and delegates, but not enough is said about the outstanding show the Cannes organizers have put together in spite of that.
Somewhere between tonight's finale highlights of presidency and pyrotechnics, the Cannes team should stand up and take a bow.
It is a Cannes festival to remember. And one that will point the industry forward.
The value of a Lion has probably never been higher. Noticeably fewer lions were awarded, given how the tougher times meant ads have to be smarter and sharper than ever.
Tongue firmly in cheek, here are some special Lions of the evening:
The Social-Networking-Nightmare Lion to Crispin Porter Bogusky's superb Whopper Sacrifice campaign that questioned the value of Facebook friendship by offering a tempting proposal to drop friends.
The A-Lion-Can-Cure-Everything-Too Lion to Taxi Toronto's Viagra TV Campaign. Various men share how their strolling, reading and antiquing dependencies with their wives "kinda went away" after they tried Viagra. Watch and weep -- from laughing or jealousy.
The Whistles-Worthy Lion to a few curious pieces that didn't quite find favour with the typically tough Cannes crowd. It's like being in the Coliseum of gladiator fights - these guys know their stuff and they too are judges.
The President's Lion to Obama For America. The world's best campaign this year wasn't a campaign, it was a movement that made history. Any citizen of advertising will vote for this.
The Yellow & Green Lion to giant-killing DDB Brazil and the evergreen Almap BBDO, which claimed Agency of the Year and runner up respectively.
The Mother-Of-All-Lions Lion to the one campaign to win Grand Prix for Titanium, Integrated, Outdoor, Direct, PR categories. It will happen one day. Closest thing was Cumminsnitro's "Best job in the world", which bagged a record 3 GPs.
The Guest-Blogger Lion. Okay I'm just trying my luck here.