Greetings from Cannes

The third week of June 2023 saw the world's creative industry gather along the coast of the French Riviera to celebrate the return of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Marking its 70th anniversary, Cannes Lions has been championing creative excellence since its inception in 1954, setting the benchmark for global creativity.

I had the privilege of attending this prestigious event for the second year in a row, as a part of the UK Advertising (UKAEG) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) trade mission.

As always with UKAEG events, we were given the opportunity to gain invaluable insights, enhance our skills as an agency, and network with visionary individuals driving creative change worldwide.

From networking on the renowned Google Beach to participating in the highly anticipated UKAEG-hosted panels and discussions, it was fantastic to be a part of the buzz of created throughout the week at Cannes, leaving no creative stone unturned.

One particular discussion, hosted by the UKAEG, titled "Sorting Your Dirty Social,"  was especially memorable as it directly aligned with our approach to cutting through the noise for our social media clients at Crowd.

The panel emphasised the importance of creating engagement through strategic imperfection, highlighting the contrast between playing it safe with "clean" social media and taking calculated risks by expressing authenticity on social platforms.

The discussion further outlined how brands can find a careful balance between being disruptive, occasionally employing strategic ‘mistakes’ to drive engagement, and adapt to the influencer market while maintaining their composure and professionalism.

Attending Cannes Lions was an unforgettable experience that showcased how the creative industry continues to be an ever-changing landscape, always pushing boundaries for consumers, regardless of their location.

Crowd would like to express our gratitude to the UKAEG and DBT for facilitating another year of insightful conversations that delivered exceptional results. We eagerly anticipate implementing our newfound knowledge and shaking up the industry as we know it.

Until next time!