Event Recap: A Toast to Cannes Party

Here are 5 takeaways from the panel discussion:

1. Empowerment and empathy lead the way: Shannon Lewis talked about how one of the buzzwords from Cannes this year is capital C Creativity, which to her is all about having a sense of empathy and how empathy, not only from a brand level but also from a leadership level can flourish into empowerment. Wain Choi, referencing the petition that got Heinz and Wonder Bread to solve their odd-numbered hotdog wiener to bun packs, talked about how it’s not only about making ads, it’s that we actually have the power to change something, to change our world, and that idea should be embraced by every client and every agency.
2. Put the consumer first: Using an award-winning example, Susan Irving talked about Kruger’s Unapologetically Human campaign, from 2021. At the start of the pandemic, as the supply shortages were wreaking havoc on the toilet paper and paper towel business, Kruger had to pull all of their advertising and pivot to something new. All of the sudden changes in the marketplace actually served as an opportunity to put the consumer first, and talk about what we were all collectively going through.
3. Be yourself and don’t sell yourself short: When Moreen Bofill was growing up in the ad industry, she recalled only seeing two women that looked like her, Helen Pak (SVP of Creative at Disney) and Judy John (Global CCO at Edelman). While there is still much more work to be done, she is proud to see the growing diversity within the industry, and is hopeful that it will continue to build teams that represent the culture that is within Canada, in both hiring efforts as well as mentorship efforts. Prompted with advice to give her younger self, Mo said, “If you can’t find a seat at the table, make your own table, and lean into what makes you unique.”
4. Change with the times: Wain remarked on an idea his agency, Zulu Alpha Kilo, came up with for their client, Harry Rosen. The Green screen shirt was a shirt people could wear Monday-Friday on Zoom calls working from home, and with the push of a button could change the shirt into different patterns. Having a client being open to change and adaptability bred a truly creative campaign idea.
5. You are much smarter than your boss: Thinking about what to tell your 25 year-old self, Brooke knows exactly what she would say: you are so much smarter than us. She believes that her younger colleagues coming up behind her are so outstanding and remarkable, that she can’t wait to be a slingshot for them and catapult them up in the industry.

The Globe and Mail kick-off to Cannes party ended on a lively note, with the advertising and marketing community toasting to continued Canadian success at the festival with glasses of French rose in hand, and knowing that Canada’s creative future is powerful and bright.

Get inspired and hear all of the takeaways from the Creativity Panel by watching the video here:

Photography and Videography by Roxton Media.