I’m not sure if it’s the Cannes festival of advertising this year or the Cannes festival of football. I don’t think I have had one conversation, with a male at least, that has not involved some mention of the World Cup. The poms are as hopeful as they always are. And as disappointed as they always are when they lose. Which they have been doing with regularity. Us Australians of course treat every loss as a win. I think we are always very grateful just to be involved. The South Americans are of course very passionate and the Europeans, well they’re European.
The theme has even made its way into the award ceremonies each night.
There have been a lot of national jerseys on stage receiving Lions and the odd flag too. In fact one very exuberant group of Brazilians pretty much had an entire football team and two flags up there at one point.
It’s fantastic though. There’s a lot of spirit here amongst the global advertising communities already with rivalries just as fierce as those on the football pitch. But I think being here when the World Cup is on only adds to the colour of what is a brilliantly organised and very slick international event.
Chris Johnson
Creative director
Havas Worldwide Sydney