Cannes Day One or Where Did Everyone Get Those Glasses? by Claire Cottrell
The first day of the Cannes Lions Advertising festival is filled with the eager anticipation for the week to come. Before the long hours and jam-packed social calendars take their toll, the first night brings together a crowd fresh from a day of rest and that initial realization of being in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Smiles are exuberant. Friends and colleagues separated by oceans come together to kick off another zany celebration of this thing we call advertising.
We set the tone for this yearly migration to the Côte D’Azur by teaming up with ‘boards Magazine to host the second annual Wiredrive + ‘boards Cannes Kick-Off Party. The evening was definitely one to remember. Eager to jump start the week, most people arrived before the sun went down. The crowd was what you would expect to find: a compelling mix of people from all corners of the world: Sweden, India, Japan, Argentina, South Africa, England, Amsterdam, Iceland, Dubai, Venice Beach and the list goes on. As introductions are made and conversations transpire, I become increasingly aware that in some weird way, we all speak the same language. Literally, we actually do. Just about everyone I met spoke perfect English. Beyond that, professionally, we share something. Standing talking with guests from New York, Johannesburg, Prague and Los Angeles, respectively, it was amazing to realize that this industry truly bridges cultures. Soaking up the beauty of the French Riviera and the pleasure of good company, it was quite obvious that a good time was had by all.
The setting was, thanks to Stillking, stunning [a country villa set high above Cannes in Vallauris]. The crowd was fun, fashionable and fabulous. The music was chill [thank you Static Revenger.] The rosé was divine. And the sunglassess…
The neon pseudo sunglasses or Kanye West sunglasses took on a life of their own in a way that this industry knows all too well. By the end of the week, everyone and their brother was sporting a brand new pair of electric green, orange, pink or white lens-less glasses. They were everywhere. Massive Music’s La La Land Extravaganza, Shots party on the beach, the exclusive Terra affair, the Gutter bar, Eden Roc, the guy selling croque-monsieur on the Croisette etc. etc. etc. I think the word is viral?
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Soundtrack created by Static Revenger for Machinehead. His new down tempo Album ‘LOVE SONG SURPRISE’ released May 7, available worldwide on iTunes. See the amazing new video here!
-Claire