Brian Strong’s Post

Headed to Cannes next week and not sure what to prioritize? 🤔 Our U.S. CMO Mark Singer shared his advice for making the most of your time at Lions with The Drum’s Richard Draycott. His top tips?: ✅ A little bit of prepping goes a long way. Avoid the chaos and plan ahead! ✅ Ask yourself: what are you hoping to accomplish in Cannes? Build a schedule with a list of objectives. ✅ Make sure the value of Cannes resonates beyond the south of France. From meetings to sessions, use your new-found knowledge and connections to positively impact your business goals for the rest of the year. Will we see you on La Croisette? https://deloi.tt/4aSbRrf

Garrett Dale, co-founder & partnerships officer, Kepler Group (an Atrium PR client): “Anybody can spend the money to participate in Cannes, but it is important to take time beforehand to schedule relevant meetings, with clear goals in mind, to get the strongest ROI. Connect with people you normally do not see in person, and leave time open without meetings to mingle casually in relevant places – some interesting ‘chance’ meetings can be fruitful, but don’t force it. The investment and effort don’t end when the festival concludes; the benefit is in building relationships and connections that last. Remember, not every meeting or serendipitous encounter has to end in an immediate deal – you’re there to build your company’s brand (and your own) over time.” https://lnkd.in/eKGGYuxa

How can agencies make the most of Cannes in 2024? Our own Peter Nicholson shared his thoughts with The Drum, including focusing on your goals, seeking global inspiration and meeting potential partners from around the globe. Read on for more from Peter. #CannesLions #AdAgency #CreativeAgency

Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, we need to talk… Year after year you have challenged me to be bold, be creative, be effective, be efficient. Immerse myself in the business, build strong agency partnerships, and fuel my strategic thinking. For a long time, I believed that self-improvement was the key to joining the elite conversations at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. After years of learning from industry giants like Peter Field, Mark Ritson Byron Sharp Orlando Wood James Hurman I felt ready to be part of that dialogue. But Cannes, we seriously need to talk. The reality is that attending to the “Athens of marketing and creative effectiveness” remains a distant dream for many of us as the cost of participation is prohibitively expensive. To my fellow marketers who feel the same: I HEAR YOU! We are expected to push the boundaries of creativity and effectiveness, yet we are often left out when it matters most. And to Cannes, you are truly an inspiration for many of us, but when talking about consumer centricity, you need to revisit your business model to give us some entry level. Common, be creative 😊! Until we can meet physically, I will continue to advocate from the distance the spirit of Cannes Lions—effectiveness’s, boldness, creativity—as a state of mind. Looking forward to meet in the upcoming years, Gaby #MarketingLife #CannesLions #CreativeExcellence #IndustryChallenges #StayConnected #MarketingCommunity

On Cannes, Part 2. To get the most out of your Cannes experience, a few pointers from someone who has been there, done that, many times (me below, keynoting on my favorite topic - brand narrative and storytelling, in the world of the ephemeral web): 1. Look at the Work - take a day, or two, to really look at the work. It's a trope to believe that all the inspo, comes from listening to panel discussions about how long walks on the beach fuel someone's creativity. No doubt, it does. But, pass on a few and take the time, to really look at the work. Absorb it, study it, learn about how it was made. Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity does an amazing job of exhibiting all of the award entries, so take the time to explore. 2. Schedule Key Meetings, Ahead of Time - Cannes publishes a list of all the attendees. Rarely are most key players in our industry, gathered in one place for so long. Do take the time to set up one on one meetings, with the folks that really matter to you. Equal parts, business and inspiration. 3. Avoid the Gutter Bar - yes, I've been there. I know the scene. If you do go, leave by 22:00. Late nights and hangovers, are better left for your time back home. Make the most of Cannes - and the dollars being spent on you to attend - by being on your best form, well-rested and clear-eyed to properly digest all that Cannes has to offer. 4. Take Notes, Share Notes - if you take notes as if you're in Uni, you'll better absorb the material being shared. You'll be more present in the moment, engrossed in the creative discussions happening all about you. Yes, your friends and colleagues back home will delight in seeing you holding a Rose at a beach party...but they'll be forever indebted, if you impart some wisdom and help them better understand, what was discussed. SHARE your notes. Nothing creates better absorption of material, than sharing your pov and takeaways, with your colleagues and mates. Record to share, and apply your pov - because your take on the event, is value-added indeed. Ok...more soon! SOCIALDEVIANT #Cannes #Creativity #Lessons #Advertising #CreativeAwards

Is the presence of CFOs at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity a good or bad thing? In my view, it can only be good. In fact, I believe the festival has an opportunity to create a more focused space for the CMO-CFO relationship. Last year, Mastercard's CFO Sachin Mehra captured attention with their talk (alongside CMO Raja Rajamannar), and this year it was the turn of McDonald's CFO Ian Borden (alongside CMO Morgan Flatley) to make industry headlines, sharing the success of gaining more alignment with their marketing counterparts. But there's plenty of research out there that shows that CMO C-suite relationships - and particularly that with the CFO - aren't what they could be. Yet the upside from getting on the same page is writ large, based on the reception to the above talks. Having briefly been on the inside of the festival in my previous role before joining Frontier, I know how much progress has been made in recent years to get marketers, measurement, and results in clearer focus (such as The CMO Growth Coucil, the Creative Effectiveness Lions, the WARC Creative Impact track). There's now a significant and meaningful opportunity - that some may not like - to elevate and expand this, for the good of the industry. More priests in Las Vegas please. I've written about this in something I've penned for The Drum (with thanks to John McCarthy for publishing).

🌟 Cannes Lions Festival is just around the corner! 🌟 Are you ready to make the most of it? Our founder, Christina Liessem, shares her top tips to ensure you have an unforgettable experience at this prestigious event. From networking strategies to essential packing lists, we’ve got you covered! 🔗 Read Christina's Top Tips Here https://lnkd.in/dZwpftk7 Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned pro, these insights will help you navigate Cannes like a champ. Don't miss out! What are your tips for the festival? Share them with us in the comments below!

Toastmasters District 71 UK & Ireland Wednesday Webinar : Understanding the Toastmasters Brand Angela Afieghe PMP MBA, District 71 PR Manager Ready to dive deeper into what makes Toastmasters unique? Our Wednesday Webinar series, 'Understanding the Toastmasters Brand,' and discover how you can leverage our core values to enhance your journey. Click here to watch: https://lnkd.in/eyfvDeRJ #ToastmastersTraining #D71BrandBuilders #ToastmastersBrand

🏆 Are you ready to elevate your business even further? 🏆 Entering and winning a prestigious award like the Buckinghamshire Business Awards can be a transformative experience for your company. Here's why: - Stand Out from the Competition: Winning an award is a powerful way to differentiate your business and gain a competitive edge. - Boost Brand Awareness: Awards serve as effective marketing tools, increasing interest and promoting your business to new customers. - Enhance Credibility: An award acts as an endorsement, legitimising the quality of your work and strengthening relationships with vendors and clients. - Morale and Productivity: Achieving recognition can instil pride and ownership among your team, leading to increased productivity. - Word of Mouth Marketing: Awards can generate buzz, encouraging customers to spread the word about your business. 📅 Join Our 2024 Buckinghamshire Business Awards Entry Workshop We invite you to our **FREE** workshop on 19th March at the aylesbury-waterside-theatre. Here's what you'll gain: - Insider Tips: Learn how to make your entry shine with expert advice on what judges are looking for. - Category Insights: Discover which categories you can enter and kickstart your award journey. - Success Stories: Hear from previous winners about the impact of winning on their businesses. 🌟Winning awards is not just about the accolades; it's about the journey and growth your business experiences along the way. Join us at the workshop to start this exciting chapter! https://orlo.uk/ARlbQ #BuckinghamshireBusinessAwards #BusinessExcellence #AwardWinning #BucksBusinessAwards

🏆 Thinking about entering business or industry awards? Here are some great reasons why you should, other than the shiny trophy! 🏆 Boost Your Credibility: Winning or even being nominated for a business award enhances your reputation and builds trust with clients and partners. Increase Brand Visibility: Awards attract media attention and put your brand in the spotlight, reaching a wider audience. Motivate Your Team: Recognition boosts morale and motivates your team to continue striving for excellence. Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, potential clients, and partners at award events. Evaluate Your Success: The application process helps you assess your business performance and identify areas for improvement. At Zaka, our dedicated team of copywriters can curate your entry, ensuring your achievements shine. 🌟