As I sit here not watching the sun set over the Mediterranean, the second day of virtual Cannes Lions draws to an end offering some pronounced themes. Past years we have spoken of the need for diversity. This year shifted full throttle into the fight for social justice, and the urgent need for racial equality.
Covid-19 casts its long shadow across every aspect of our lives. It has changed our business forever, and those who are nimble will thrive. Interestingly, the restrictiveness of the plague seems to have fed defiance, and the will to create no matter what.
Witness Mi Pandemia, a global short film series created during lockdown in collaboration with director Luis Aguer.
J. Lo’s other squeeze
Alex Rodriguez was today’s celebrity cat nip. Charming as he was, the greatest insight I can offer you is that he was able to squeeze into wife J. Lo’s white sheathe for TikTok fame.
Give me yesterday
Future Sculpting by Dentsu was a very unsettling presentation. A disembodied voice intoned that “placing value on personal impulse” led to greater creativity. It cited the example of prototyping of food to look like Lego, and a “tuna-scope” that allowed you to assess tuna without ever even touching it or seeing it. Unlabelled is a garment created for those fearful of excessive monitoring. And finally, AI that allows you to create performances by dead people. If this is the future of creativity, stop the car and let me out now.
Laying in wait for 2021
Quirky is as quirky does
Trevor Robinson, creative director and founder of the Quiet Storm agency was intriguing. His topic was The Importance of You. Why Self is the Most Important Tool in Your Creativity Box.
He champions figuring out who you are and finding where you belong versus trying to fit in a holding company-dictated pigeon hole as the path to greatness. His wonderfully risqué sense of humour has led to some great creative over the years. He’s a fan of using adversity to fuel positivity and urges us to use it to add to our armour.
Quote of the Day
“Your Instagram won’t save lives. Do something dammit.”
Overheard on a Yacht
Nothing.
