The highlight of Cannes Week for around 60 Aussies and Kiwis is the annual CB Legendary Lunch at La Colombe d'Or in St Paul de Vence, undoubtedly the world's most beautiful garden restaurant. 

VIEW THE VIDEO

More pics later.... CB has to go to the CB/The Sweet Shop Chateau Pool Party...

Film Construction director Hugh Mitton (left) has claimed another directing prize with his spot 'Strings' for Coca-Cola, his second win for the brand after winning the same contest last year for his Valentine's Day spot which went on to air globally.
 
Coca-Cola asked filmmakers around the world to create surprising stories of happiness around special days of the year, through content sourcing agency MOFILM. The winners were then flown out to spend a week at the Lions Festival and receive their award.

Says David Campbell, Coca-Cola global content director: "In follow-up to Hugh's winning story last year, 'Love is in the Air', he gave us yet another beautiful story of human connection and happiness with 'Strings', and we are delighted to again award Hugh first place."

Regan Grafton, executive creative director at DraftFCB, Auckland is New Zealand's representative on the Cannes Lions Radio jury. Grafton, along with most of the Australian and NZ jurors, is reporting exclusively for CB.

The last couple of days have been pretty full on. We spent the morning of day three re listening to everything independently and re marking it. Then from about 4pm we got into the juicy part which was debating what should stay on the shortlist. Anything that was sitting towards the bottom of each category was on thin ice. We were each giving an  opportunity at the very end to bring back one campaign for reconsideration. This process worked really well and quite a few bits of work got through and even picked up metal.

Matt Williams, content editor at The Engine Group, London offers his take on the Cannes Seminars running throughout the week, exclusive to CB.

It's sometimes hard to realise when you're at this crazy festival that things are still happening in the outside world.

And indeed, if I wasn't getting all excited about listening to P. Diddy, Jimmy Wales and Conan O'Brien speak today then no doubt I'd have been at home getting all excited about the new Anchorman 2 trailer.

Tim Buesing, creative director at Reactive offers his take on the Cannes Seminars running throughout the week, exclusive to CB.

Admittedly, this line might not the be the best strategy for making friends at Cannes. But amidst all the inspiration and rosé flowing through Cannes right now, it's good to occasionally listen to some clever 'agents provocateurs'.

New Zealand has scored two Gold Lions and four Bronze Lions at the Cannes Radio Lions held last night.

DraftFCB NZ scored both of New Zealand's Gold for the 'Call Girl' campaign for Prime Television. All Bronze Lions were won by Clemenger BBDO Wellington/Marmalade Audio for the 'Radio Legends' spots for New Zealand Transport Agency.

Gold Lions
DraftFCB New Zealand for Prime Television 'Call Girl' (x2)

Bronze
Clemenger BBDO Wellington for New Zealand Transport Agency 'Radio Legends - Spot 1/2/3/4) (x4)

New Zealand has scored three Bronze Lions at the Cannes Cyber Lions last night.

Colenso BBDO Auckland's 'The V Motion Project' for Frucor Beverages won two Bronze and DraftFCB NZ scored one Bronze Lion for the 'Driving Dogs' campaign for SPCA NZ/Mini NZ.

Bronze Lions
Colenso BBDO Auckland for Frucor Beverages/V Energy Drink 'The V Motion Project' (x2)
DraftFCB NZ for SPCA NZ/Mini NZ 'Driving Dogs'

New Zealand has scored two Silver Lions and one Bronze Lion at the Cannes Design Lions presented last night in Cannes.

Alt Group was awarded two Silver Lions for the Silo Theatre 'Silo Theatre Identity' and Fisher & Paykel 'The Social Kitchen' designs.

Silver Lions
Alt Group Auckland for Silo Theatre 'Silo Theatre Identity'
Alt Group Auckland Fisher & Paykel 'The Social Kitchen 2012'

Bronze Lions
Special Group Auckland OOB Organic 'OOB Organic Ice Cream'

Each day Simon Veksner, head of ideas at Naked Communications Australia, is posting a photo diary depicting 'the other side of Cannes'. Guaranteed no coverage of jury rooms, seminars, or award shows, exclusive to CB

One of the highlights of attending Cannes is that everyone gets a goodie bag, just like at the Oscars. 

At the Cannes film festival last month, attendees were provided with a swag bag containing handcrafted jewelry, spa and bath products, fine art photography and more, in a package valued at $1,180.

So it was with some excitement that I opened the Cannes advertising festival gift bag.

Matt Williams, content editor at The Engine Group, London offers his take on the Cannes Seminars running throughout the week, exclusive to CB.

I always tend to be quite scepitcal when a Cannes Lions seminar features a big name from outside of the industry, especially when the celebrity has just been part of a recent ad campaign, and is being brought on stage (paid for) by the agency of said campaign.

Each week Bestads picks the very best advertising in the world, in every medium - which is reviewed by a top creative director or team to select their own personal favourites.

This week's guest judge is Dave Buonaguidi, founder and chief creative officer at Karmarama, London.

READ HIS REVIEW

Ex-Colenso BBDO New Zealand creative Jae Morrison (left) has joined Finch's roster of award-winning directors.

He left his role as an art director after being ranked 5th in the world and is shaping up to be one of the region's most versatile and exciting young directors.

Says Rob Galluzzo, managing director, Finch: "Jae's going to be fucking famous, jump on board."

Morrison has just finished production on a global brand campaign for Fisher & Paykel via Colenso BBDO.

Click here to see more of Morrison's work.

Clemenger BBDO Wellington/OMD Wellington/Resn have scored one Bronze Lion for New Zealand Transport Agency's 'Flash' - a campaign aimed at telling young males to slow down on roads.

The Media Lions jury, led by Jack Klues, chairman, VivaKi, voted and deliberated on a total of 3031 entries and selected 18 Gold, 38 Silver and 58 Bronze winners from a shortlist of 257. The Jury decided to award the Media Grand Prix to Ogilvy & Mather Amsterdam for their entry Why Wait Until its too Late? for funeral insurance company Dela.  

OMD Australia, Sydney were presented with the prestigious Media Agency of the Year award during the ceremony.

Bronze Lions
Clemenger BBDO Wellington/OMD Wellington/Resn for New Zealand Transport Agency 'Flash Driving Game'

New Zealand has scored one Silver Lion and two Bronze Lions at the Cannes Mobile Lions presented last night in Cannes.

DDB Group New Zealand lead the Kiwi agency pack winning a Silver and a Bronze for its Hutchwilco 'Secret Fishing Spots' ahead of Y&R Wellington who scored a Bronze for 'Weather To Wake' app for Metservice Meteorological Service.

New Zealand has won one two Bronze Lions Lion at the Cannes Outdoor Lions presented last night in Cannes.

DraftFCB won Bronze for its 'Driving Dogs' campaign for SPCA/Mini New Zealand and for Prime TV's 'Call Girl' campaign.

Bronze Lions
DraftFCB New Zealand for SPCA NZ/MINI 'Driving Dogs'
DraftFCB New Zealand for Prime Television 'Call Girl'

Omnicom Group Inc, a leading marketing and advertising holding company, demonstrated its long-time support for China by hosting a panel discussion at the first "China Day" event held at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. 

Says Serge Dumont, Omnicom group vice chairman, and chairman Asia Pacific (pictured): "As the Festival celebrates its 60^th anniversary, its organizers have wisely chosen to spotlight one of the world's most important countries. The support of the Group and its agencies at this year's Festival reflects our long-term commitment to China, the world's number-two advertising market worldwide in terms of market scale. Because understanding China has become crucial to any company with global aspirations, Omnicom assembled a panel of senior executives from our agencies to discuss the key trends affecting China's families, individuals, and institutions."

Each day Simon Veksner, head of ideas at Naked Communications Australia, is posting a photo diary depicting 'the other side of Cannes'. Guaranteed no coverage of jury rooms, seminars, or award shows, exclusive to CB

As Advertising Creatives, we are permanently searching for the new and innovative - our job is a neverending quest to do something that no one else has done before.

And that's why we refuse to follow trends. 

Sorry Google Beach. Sorry Grand Audi Room. Sorry Spotify Garden. Sorry all the other brands that are trying to gain currency with creatives in Cannes. Ray-Ban owns this town, with near 100% top-of-shirt awareness. 

All pictures from last night's Campaign Brief cocktail party.

Deborah Frenkel, copywriter at JWT Melbourne has been picked as one of 35 creatives under the age of 28 to attend the 2013 Young Creative Academy in Cannes. Here she gives a rundown of her second day in Cannes.

Yesterday, we kicked off with some impromptu yoga, Indian singing and a bit of stand-up comedy (see Ben's write up here).

Today, on Day 2 of the Young Creatives Academy, a bit of theatresports is on the agenda. In front of 24 people I barely know, plus advertising legend Bob Isherwood, I find myself pretending to be a duck.
 
The week is styled as a guided tour through everything that could make us better at what we do - coming up with ideas, making them great, and actually making them happen. Dignity itself is not required.

As Cannes International Festival of Creativity celebrates its 60th anniversary, Leo Burnett Worldwide and Contagious will look 60 months into the future to offer a head-start on the most significant technological innovations that will redefine how brands connect with people.

On Tuesday, June 18, from 5:00 - 5:45 p.m.in Cannes (10:00 - 10:45 a.m. CST) James Kirkham, Leo Burnett's newly appointed global head of social and mobile and Paul Kemp-Robertson, co-founder and editorial director for Contagious Communications will explore how technology can be applied to the natural cadence of our daily lives in order to make routine activities and behaviors more streamlined, meaningful or entertaining. 

Voted the "Seminar of the Day" by the first-ever Lions Live, Full of Tomorrow will be live streamed on Cannes' Lions Live page for viewers at home. 

Says Kirkham: "Working on this already feels like a career highlight; I get to work with Contagious on exploring incredible technologies which brands will be able to humanise in the very near future. It is like being a part of your favourite book and getting to talk about it to the world live on YouTube. What's not to like?"

Ben Welsh, ECD at M&C Saatchi, Sydney is Australia's representative on the Cannes Lions Outdoor jury. Welsh, along with most of the Australian and NZ jurors, is of course reporting exclusively for CB.

Day five? I think so. Yes, yes, it is, and it's our last day which means we have to keep going till we have finished. We have 28 categories to go through and then we have to pick the Grand Prix. Will I make the Aussie drinks thing at the Grand? Bump in to Ben Coulson on the Croisette and for the second time we are dressed identically, two bearded Bens. He tells me of controversy amongst a few entries which had kept them at it till two or three in the morning. Will I make the end of the Aussie drinks thing at the Grand?

Cameron Hoelter, creative director at DDB Sydney is Australia's representative on the Cannes Lions Press jury. Hoelter, along with most of the Australian and NZ jurors, is of course reporting exclusively for CB.

Day four was by far the most interesting. Today we awarded Lions and selected the Grand Prix.

Campaigns that on day one you thought had a good chance, suddenly felt out of their depth. A pretty harsh reminder of just how good a press ad has to be here to even compete.

The basic parameters in press haven't changed in a hundred years. Just ink on a page. So creating something that feels fresh is unbelievably difficult. Consequently a fair bit of debate centred around originality. How close does it have to be, to have been done before?

Dave Bowman, joint ECD of Whybin\TBWA Sydney, is Australia's representative on the Cannes Lions Direct jury. Bowman, along with most of the Australian and NZ jurors, is reporting exclusively for CB.

Okay, so where was I? Over the course of day four, we've somehow gotten ourselves a shortlist. There have been more than a few heated discussions about certain entries. Some were filled with arguments that seemed to carry water from both sides of the fence, others not so much. I learnt that the idea of friendship is particularly strong and powerful in Latin America during one such exchange, for example. As it turns out, friendship is far more important there than in any other part of the world. This was a supporting argument for one of the stranger campaigns I've seen this week.

New Zealand has scored five finalists at the shortlist stage of the Cannes Design Lions, led by Colenso BBDO Auckland and Alt Group Auckland with two finalists each, followed by Special Group with one finalist.

NZ Shortlist
Silo Theatre 'Silo Theatre Identity' via Alt Group Auckland
Amnesty International 'Trial By Timeline' via Colenso BBDO Auckland
Frucor Beverages/V Energy Drink 'The V Motion Project' via Colenso BBDO Auckland
Fisher & Paykel 'The Social Kitchen 2012' via Alt Group Auckland
OOB Organic Icecream 'OOB Organic Icecream' via Special Group Auckland

New Zealand has scored eight finalists at the shortlist stage of the Cannes Radio Lions, led by Clemenger BBDO Wellington/Marmalade Audio with five finalists.

NZ Shortlist
Budget Rent A Car 'Left Hand Radio' via Y&R NZ
Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra 'Hawke's Bay Cycle Tours' via Clemenger BBDO Wellington/Marmalade Audio
Prime TV 'Call Girl' via DraftFCB NZ
New Zealand Transport Agency 'Radio Legends Spot 1' via Clemenger BBDO Wellington/Marmalade Audio
New Zealand Transport Agency 'Radio Legends Spot 2' via Clemenger BBDO Wellington/Marmalade Audio
New Zealand Transport Agency 'Radio Legends Spot 3' via Clemenger BBDO Wellington/Marmalade Audio
New Zealand Transport Agency 'Radio Legends Spot 4' via Clemenger BBDO Wellington/Marmalade Audio
Blue Tea & Coffee Company 'Gravity Coffee Run' via Special Group New Zealand/Robbers Dog Film

CB caught up with Neil Dawson, founding executive creative director of BETC London, creator of the much loved Diet Coke 'Gardener' spot. 

New Zealand has scored 10 finalists at the shortlist stage of the Cannes Cyber Lions, led by Colenso BBDO Auckland with six finalists followed by DraftFCB NZ with two finalists.

NZ Shortlist
Frucor Beverages/V Energy Drink 'V Robbers' via Colenso BBDO Auckland
Frucor Beverages/V Energy Drink 'The V Motion Project' via Colenso BBDO Auckland
Frucor Beverages/V Energy Drink 'The V Motion Project - Can't Help Myself' via Colenso BBDO Auckland (x3)
Amnesty International 'Trial By Timeline' via Colenso BBDO Auckland
SPCA/Mini NZ 'Driving Dogs' via DraftFCB NZ (x2)
1440 Project '1440 Project' via Resn/BBDO Atlanta (x2)

Campaign Brief caught up with Aussie expat David Alberts, the London-based chief creative officer of MOFILM, which boasts "the world's biggest creative department".

Each day Simon Veksner - Head of Ideas at Naked Communications Australia - is posting a photo diary depicting 'the other side of Cannes'. Guaranteed no coverage of jury rooms, seminars, or award shows.

Campaign Brief - together with sponsors Robber's Dog and Cirkus - hosted a Welcome Cocktail soirée last night for several hundred Aussie and Kiwi delegates at the Grand Hotel in Cannes.

Y&R New Zealand has announced the appointment of Abbe Hale (left) as general manager of the group's Auckland creative agency.

A born and raised New Zealander, Hale has spent the majority of her 16-year career in London and New York. Following 5 years with the iconic BBH London, Hale moved to New York to join Anomaly before rejoining BBH in New York. She was appointed to the BBH board in 2011 and held the position of Head of account management until earlier this year.

Ben Polkinghorne, creative at Colenso BDDO NZ and co-winner of the Axis Emerging Talent Award (with Anna Stickley) has been picked as one of 35 creatives under the age of 28 to attend the 2013 Young Creative Academy in Cannes. Here he gives a rundown of his first day in Cannes.

Gidday all. I suppose the reason you're reading this is because you want to know why I have a crab on my head. Or perhaps you want to know more about the Young Creative Academy.
 
Either way, I can't help you. At least, I couldn't when I wrote this intro on the plane.

Ralph van Dijk, founding creative director of Eardrum, Sydney is president of the Cannes Lions Radio jury. van Dijk, along with most of the Australian and NZ jurors, is reporting exclusively for Campaign Brief.

Day 2 From The Radio Roof: Aids, drink-driving, speeding and wife beating has never sounded better. Yes folks, it's Public Service day. The category in which many of this year's gems will be found. Regular advertisers could learn a thing or two from this category as the examples really demonstrate radio's ability to get alongside the listener and tap into their emotions.

Kath O'Shea, founding partner of O'Shea & O'Brian, Sydney offers her take on the Cannes Seminars running throughout the week, exclusive to CB.

Day 2 in Cannes at the respectable time of 1.00pm, I decided to see how the advertising community could change the world for the good of mankind. Big call given my colleagues would have been well into pre-lunch drinks on one of the most stunning days ever. However, a choice with no regrets.

The 'cry for help' - as delivered by Tom Scott, Director of Global Brand and Innovation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - was for our community of extraordinary thinkers help solve the world's most urgent global health and development problems. The goal of the Gates Foundation is to eradicate extreme world poverty by 2030 (as defined by living on US$1.25 per day or less). A short video highlighting some of the work conducted by the Gates Foundation ended with a very powerful statement: "The work we do is complicated, the reason we do it is not". Therein lies the challenge for the creative community... how on earth to start solving such complicated world problems, with all the barriers associated with doing so in developing countries? No small feat.

DDB and Lion are cracking open a white can of Steinlager today after their 'Believe' campaign won gold at Cannes, the only New Zealand entry to win in the international awards Creative Effectiveness category.

Says Justin Mowday, chief executive officer for DDB: "More than 35,000 entries were received at the Cannes Lions Ad Festival this year and our entry for Steinlager, White Can, was not only the single New Zealand entry to be shortlisted in this category, but it won Gold.

DraftFCB and DDB Group have emerged as New Zealand's only winners with DraftFCB picking up two Silver Lions (SPCA/MINI 'Driving Dogs' and Prime TV 'Call Girl') and one Bronze Lion (SPCA/MINI 'Driving Dogs') and DDB Group scoring one Silver Lion (YWCA Auckland 'Coffee Cart)' and one Bronze Lion (Hutchwilco 'Secret Fishing Spots')

The Promo & Activation Grand Prix was taken by Ogilvy Brasil, for its entry 'Immortal Fans',  created for football club Sport Club Recife. The jury looked at 2974 entries before arriving at a shortlist of 265. Rob Schwartz, global creative president, TBWA\Worldwide, headed the jury which went on to award 18 Gold, 32 Silver and 44 Bronze trophies.

Promo & Activation Lions for NZ

Silver Lions
DDB Group New Zealand for YWCA Auckland 'Coffe Cart'
DraftFCB New Zealand for SPCA/MINI 'Driving Dogs'
DraftFCB New Zealand for Prime TV 'Call Girl'

Bronze Lions
DraftFCB New Zealand for SPCA/MINI 'Driving Dogs'
DDB Group New Zealand for Hutchwilco 'Secret Fishing Spots'

New Zealand has scored big at last night's Direct Lions with DraftFCB New Zealand scoring a Gold Lion and a Silver Lion for SPCA NZ/MINI 'Driving Dogs' and Colenso BBDO Auckland winning a Gold Lion for Amnesty International's 'Trial By Timeline'.

McCann Melbourne, Australia, took the Direct Grand Prix for its entry 'Dumb Ways to Die' for Metro Trains. The Direct jury, led by Mark Tutssel, worldwide chief creative officer, Leo Burnett, shortlisted 247 entries from an initial 2578 and awarded 13 Gold, 19 Silver and 28 Bronze trophies.


Colenso BBDO Auckland for Amnesty International 'Trail By Timeline'
DraftFCB New Zealand for SPCA NZ/MINI 'Driving Dogs'

DraftFCB New Zealand has scored a Silver Lion and a Bronze Lion for its 'Driving Dogs' campaign for SPCA New Zealand and MINI at the PR Lions last night. Whybin\TBWA Auckland and DDB Group NZ scored one Bronze Lion each.

McCann Melbourne, Australia, took the PR Grands Prix for their entry 'Dumb Ways to Die' for Metro Trains. The PR category received 1296 entries of which 158 were shortlisted. The jury, led by president David Gallagher, senior partner, chief executive officer, Europe, Ketchum, awarded 20 Gold, 29 Silver and 45 Bronze Lions.

DraftFCB New Zealand for SPCA NZ/MINI 'Driving Dogs'

Bronze Lions
Whybin\TBWA Auckland for Tourism New Zealand '100% Middle-Earth, 100% New Zealand'
DDB Group New Zealand for YWCA Auckland 'Demand Equal Pay'
DraftFCB New Zealand for SPCA NZ/MINI 'Driving Dogs'

Cannes Lions and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced a new brief for the Cannes Chimera Initiative, a creative competition that identifies innovative communications approaches to help solve global development problems. The initiative delivered its third challenge to the creative community in a brief announced at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

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