Ryan Bedinghaus’ Post

Why Our Women-owned/led, employee-owned, independent, B-Corp Media Agency Heads to Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity!!! The first time I said, "I'm heading to Cannes," it felt almost surreal. It was a statement that seemed to belong to a different realm, perhaps more suited to celebrities or global creatives. Yet, here I am, saying it again, and for good reason. The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity isn't just an event; it's a pinnacle of inspiration, learning, and networking that is crucial for anyone in the media/tech/creative industries, including our media agency. Here are the top 3 reasons why attending Cannes Lions is pivotal for us: 1. Showcasing Female Leadership and Independence in a Global Arena As a women-owned/led and independent agency, Cannes Lions provides us with a platform to not only talk about our work and company, but also to represent female entrepreneurship, leadership, sustainability, and independence on a global stage. It's a chance to demonstrate that female-led agencies can not only compete but excel at the highest levels of our industry. 2. Gaining and Sharing Innovative Insights Innovation isn't just a buzzword for us; it's the cornerstone of our strategy and our daily operations. Cannes Lions is the epicenter of creativity and innovation, where the newest and most groundbreaking ideas are shared. By attending, we absorb insights from leading thought leaders, which we then weave into our own strategies. Just as importantly, we contribute our own unique perspectives and solutions, adding to the global dialogue about the future of media and advertising. 3. Networking with Industry Leaders Relationships are key in our business, and Cannes Lions offers unparalleled opportunities to network with industry leaders from around the globe. Whether it's a casual chat on the Croisette or a formal business meeting, every interaction is a chance to learn, to inspire, and to lay the groundwork for future collaborations. For an independent agency like ours, these connections can be transformative, opening doors to new projects, partnerships, and possibilities. Saying "I'm heading to Cannes" symbolizes much more than a trip to a festival; it represents our commitment to leading change, celebrating creativity in media, and driving innovation for ourselves and our clients. It's weird no more; it's a declaration of our agency's aspirations and our dedication to making a mark on the international stage. And if you want to meet up - hit me up. I will be with Kimberly Jones and Scott Ensign. cc: Butler/Till PS) Representing Butler/Till at Cannes is a REMARKABLE privilege - I am honored and humbled to do so.

“Real growth comes from defying conventions with disruptive creativity” 🏴☠️ In the disrupt-or-die era, there is no space for marketers to fear failure. If your brand is strong, creative risks pay off. That’s why we should all learn from Beyoncé. Here, TBWA\Australia & Eleven ’s Creative Director Max Reed encourages marketers to take a cue or two from Beyoncé's brand-spankin’, boot-scootin’ country album, Cowboy Carter. 🤠 Because for brands to grow, turn heads, and open minds, ground-breaking creativity needs a healthy disrespect for the rules. And yes, that means getting comfortable with words like 'risk and 'dislike'. Read more via Campaign Asia-Pacific:  https://lnkd.in/gQvy-AyK

It's not every week that some of the world's most acclaimed creative leaders get together in one room, much less speak on a dedicated panel to talk about creativity and its growth-driving power in business... But that's what happened last Wednesday, when Goodby Silverstein & Partners's jeff Goodby, Orchard's David Kolbusz, Accenture Song's Nick Law, VMLY&R's Kim Pick and Australian actor, writer and director #MirrahFoulkes, gathered for a #GrowthAgenda event at Advertising Council Australia's #ThisWayUp festival. It's clear that in an information-saturated world, brands can't afford to settle for creative "mediocrity", which the rise of #generativeAI will only further accellerate, according to some panellists. For those who weren't in the room at the MCA in Sydney, catch up on insights from the evening here: https://lnkd.in/gUJXPhM3 In other marketing news.... The Matildas have won the hearts and minds of audiences the world over. And those brands that were clever enough to back them through sponsorships and collaborations are reaping the rewards of record World Cup attendance and TV viewership. Football Australia's Peter Filopoulos, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, Australia's Krystyna Frassetto and other marketing experts explain the growth-driving opportunity for brands taking part in this monumental cultural moment: https://lnkd.in/gusfDq44 Plus, an opinion editorial authored by the brilliant Dave Bowman, who penned his first piece for #TheGrowthAgenda as Publicis Groupe ANZ's newly-appointed chief creative officer. He offers a compelling call to arms to infuse the marketing and advertising with a more collaborative, playful spirit; and why it often yields better business results. https://lnkd.in/gFKz3Q7J More to follow: https://lnkd.in/gAaD9rTU

Are we living in a "post-purpose world"? 🌎 The Cannes jurors have said that brands must prioritize sales and focus on efforts that will actually make them money. This doesn't mean that brands shouldn't be purpose-driven, but rather more creative in their approaches to drive change while still allowing profit. Take a look at this interesting article on PRWeek ! #prweek #publicrelations #media #purposedriven #cannes #hiring

Next week Gerety Talks with Sophie Hochstraate and Eva Bodecker Thunborg from Mediaplus Group about sustainability and their keynote held at the last edition of the Golden Drum International Festival of Creativity. Just like the award show, the Gerety Talks series puts some of the marketing and creative industries true changemakers in the spotlight and at the centre of the conversation for a refreshing take on what leadership looks like. Watch here: https://buff.ly/4anq0Oq Eva Bodecker Thunborg, CEO, Mediaplus Nordics Leading highly competent teams in four markets, with four legislations, four currencies, four languages – using the essence of diversity and humble but straight guidance is the route to success. With 44 subsidiaries and partnerships worldwide Mediaplus is the largest independent and partner-managed media agency in Europe. Under the umbrella of the agency group, highly agile hubs of experts from a wide range of disciplines are united to deliver individual and customized solutions to clients' problems. The composition of the teams, tools and insights is always based on the client's needs and objectives. After completing her studies in Economics with master in marketing, Eva Bodecker Thunborg started her professional career at Skandinavisk mediakonsult in Stockholm 25 years ago. She has since then been working at GroupM, Omnicom and Dentsu in various positions as Media planning, Client Director, Media Director, Business Development Director to increase skills and knowledge within as many areas possible. Eva’s experience span various international clients such as Unilever, IBM, Renault Group, Orkla group, Ferrero, BSH. At Mediaplus Nordic she leads the Nordic team and work for example BMW/MINI, DeLonghi, Capri Sun Group. In her sparetime she fuels her energy by playing as much basketball as possible, and also volunteers in the communication committee within the Swedish Basketball Association. Sophie Hochstraate, Group Head Global Client Development, Mediaplus Group Sophie was born in Salzburg, Austria, but her academic journey took her to Munich, London, and Paris. She has since returned to Munich. Sophie's association with Mediaplus International commenced during its early stages when the team consisted of just three individuals. Over time, she witnessed the remarkable evolution of the team, which has expanded to encompass more than 130 professionals representing more than 20 different nationalities. The international community that was built over the years now consists of more than 2,500 people, across 25 markets and three continents. This experience has been nothing short of inspiring as the company transformed from a startup, with the backing of a giant, Serviceplan Group, into a globally recognized international agency that stands as a formidable contender in the industry landscape. Sophie firmly believes that the sustainable success of any enterprise hinges on placing the human being at the heart of strategic thinking.

Want to know who made the rounds harder than Marc Pritchard at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity? Agency Comms teams. Shaping award submissions, the content themes across the festival, the people you see on stages. The questions that get asked (and more importantly, the ones that don’t—you are so welcome for that). Brokering high-profile meetups between brand leaders and other strategic partners to embolden what comes next? That, too. They work the week across multiple time zones, being bridges between homebase and France—and many attend zero dinners, zero concerts and drink zero rosé. Yesterday was an epic moment with Jason + Travis Kelce coming to Stagwell Sport Beach to dish on brand partnerships with Colle McVoy President Jessica Henrichs, McCormick & Company CMO Tabata Gomez and Fast Company's Jeff Beer. At the heart of the conversation were points about camaraderie. 35+ brand leaders saying yes to playing with Frank’s RedHot. Peers of Jason + Travis who have opened up their playbooks on content creation. These relationships are sacred. None of us do it alone. So whether you won a Lion or shook up a main stage, I salute you Comms brethren. I know the mistakes and miracles you’ve navigated. You crushed it. Jeremy Miller, Rebecca McClain, Vonda LePage, Maggie Garrison, Kenneth Hein, Lindsay Bennett, Kate Kelley, Suzanne McGee, Tom Cunningham, Beth Lester Sidhu, Emily Hodkins, David Ford, Eileen Beverley and so many others. PS: You can watch the full session to hear what Jason + Travis had to say, here: https://lnkd.in/dRPEVap2

I know everyone is thinking… not another Cannes recap!!!  But I can’t resist.  You know why?  After several years of attending the festival of creativity and watching it evolve, I want to reflect on why we go, what we gain and how we accelerate our efforts in one jam-packed week. We go because we learn what’s top of mind for the industry and there's no denying that AI continues to be ubiquitous. Whether directly addressed on panels or subtly (or not so subtly) woven into discussions, it's clear that AI is fundamentally shaping the future of marketing. From its potential to personalize experiences to its power to analyze data and inform strategies, AI is no longer a futuristic concept, but a force demanding our attention—for better or for worse. We gain perspective by learning from others and doing better than we did before. Thankfully, the conversation around inclusion looks to be moving beyond a trend. Brands are recognizing not only the moral imperative of inclusive marketing, but also the vast business opportunities it unlocks. By speaking to diverse audiences at scale, brands can forge deeper connections and foster genuine loyalty. This shift towards inclusive storytelling is not just the right thing to do, it's a recipe for success. We accelerate our efforts by spending time with the industry influencers that push creative and media boundaries. We reconnect with past colleagues and meet new people that enlighten and energize us. We brainstorm, we dream and we create. And we do it all in the spirit of moving creativity forward. So now that I sit square back in reality, I want to continue to ride the momentum and spirit of the creative conference that never fails to disappoint and make sure to stay focused to deliver on those brainstorms! Looking forward to joining everyone again next year! Thank you to everyone who made my Cannes, one for the books! Louisa Wong, Jo Kinsella, Simon Sikorski, Brian Radin, Kevin Arrix, DJ Martin, Clark Chaine. Jeanine Guzman, MS, Jamie Madge, James Straker. Nicki Masterson, Sheryl Daija, Lana McGilvray, Brent Poer, David Levy. Brittany Slattery, Gena Schirer. Orlando Reece, Joe Marchese, Christie Marchese, Chris Shively, Maureen Murphy, Hilary Batsel. Marinn Jackson, Carol Phillips Hutchinson, Carly Goodwin, Molly Finnerty. Marla Newman, Kelly Ann Thorgramson, Gayle Troberman, Julie Thompson, Lisle Friedman, Caroline McCarthy, Laurel Rossi, Shelley Zalis, Talia Bender Small, Shannon Pruitt, Caroline Dettman. Ed Davis, Laurie Keith, and anyone else I may have missed! #CannesLions2024 #AI #Marketing #Advertising #Insights

The Singapore Association of Advertising & Marketing Singapore (AAMS) AdMarCom Festival 2024 with be held January 18th. In the lead up to the festival they are spotlighting some of the ‘Braves’ who have made a significant impact in the Singapore AdMarCom space. Here is my insights in this exclusive interview. Who are you? – What holds dear to you? Can you share a defining moment or experience in your career that has shaped who you are today? Currently, I’m the Creative Chairman of BBDO Singapore. I love to fish, so when I am on leave and if I go fishing, this will be the reply from my out- of-office reply. ‘Guan Fishing’ While studying in Los Angeles, I joined the inaugural Los Angeles Creative Competition in 1990. As a Singaporean, I initially found the competitive and individualistic culture of the American institution challenging. The awards ceremony was a defining moment. Amidst a sea of accolades from my peers, I didn’t hear my name until the show was almost over when my name was announced for the Best of Show, an honor accompanied by a cheap plastic trophy (which, to this day, I hold dearly) and US$1,000/-. You seem to be heavily involved in the creative scene. What is your ultimate goal for the industry or for yourself? Did you know Patrick Low and I were the first to start the Crowbar Awards in 2001? In 2003, I was the Chairperson for the Creative Circle Awards. I involved myself heavily in the creative industry to mentor, teach and grow early in my career because it motivates me to be a more nurturing Creative Leader. “If you don’t do it, someone else will” is something I believe in and practise consistently. My attitude has evolved, and I no longer try to shy away from challenges but take the bulls by the horns and face them head-on. After working in this industry for almost three decades, it has taught me to be resilient. There were tough moments when I could have given up and taken another less stressful job, but where is the fun in that? Creativity is important, but you need to have the tenacity and motivation to excel to succeed. BBDO Worldwide BBDO Asia BBDO Singapore #creativity #gongshow #bbdo

I recently had the opportunity to attend Cannes Lions, and it left me feeling great, but slightly concerned about the state of our industry. What was meant to be a celebration of creativity and innovation seemed to veer into a dystopian realm of hypocrisy. Allow me to share some observations below: 🤝 Multicultural representation: While it was encouraging to see multicultural-owned and operated companies and content creators present, I had to note that most of them were embedded in someone else's activation or part of a multi-sponsored effort. We need to create genuine spaces that we own for these voices to shine and show their true worth, in front of the audiences that need to hear them. 🌐 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): There were several DEI-focused stand-ups at the festival, but regrettably, many felt too exclusive. 🎨 Lack of representation for BIPOC creators and tech: I couldn't help but notice the lack of presence for Hispanic and Asian media companies, tech companies, and creators. 🏆 Recognition disparity: It was disconcerting to observe that many CEOs of color were present but were not featured prominently to win awards or be recognized, while celebrities and clients received more significant attention. 💼 Lack of BIPOC representation in financial discussions: Conversations about money and investments were glaringly lacking in BIPOC representation. 🔒 Disheartening changes in leadership: The unfortunate reality is that Chief Diversity Officers are losing/leaving their jobs at an alarming rate. This undermines the progress made in advancing DEI initiatives and sends a discouraging message about the industry's commitment to change. 🌊 A backdrop of contradictions: It was hard to ignore the stark contrast between the conversations about DEI and education happening against a backdrop of actions that seemed to contradict these ideals. Firing DEI personnel, neglecting investments in BIPOC companies, and eliminating affirmative action initiatives undermine the very progress we strive to achieve. 🇫🇷 France's unrest: The extreme protests and armed police presence in France during the festival further highlighted the societal challenges we face in building a more inclusive world. It is evident that organizations are missing the mark when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Performative allyship and inherent contradictions within our systems are pervasive, and it is disheartening to see these issues persist while being ignored or overlooked. As professionals in the industry, we must hold ourselves accountable. Token gestures or superficial diversity initiatives will not create the change that marketing and AdTech need. #DiversityMatters #EquityNow #InclusionRevolution #RealChange