News Corp's Cannes Young Lions winner in the marketing category, Nate Kwok, is the portfolio marketing manager at Commonwealth Bank. Sydney-based Kwok is part of a team representing Australia at the 62nd Cannes International Festival of Creativity and shares his views below...
It’s no secret that Cannes is an international affair. As the world’s biggest celebration of creativity, you’d expect it to be a crucible of bright, curious minds from all around the globe.
In the past few days I’ve met some incredible people. Marketers. Thought leaders. Scientists. And to celebrate the diversity and accomplishment of these individuals – I’d like to share some small moments I experienced with my new friends in Cannes.
Olusegun Martins
I met Olusegun Martins at the ‘Stop creating ads, start creating worlds’ workshop at Sapient Nitro, opposite the Palais. He’s the head of digital at the Nigerian office of African agency Insight Communications. He’s a cheery fellow – tall, super white teeth and draped around his neck is a pair of massive headphones.
We met when I sat next to him in the front row, the only place with seats remaining. It wasn't long before he asks—‘Can I take a selfie with you? I take a selfie with everyone I meet’. We take one on his Samsung S5.
It’s the nicest ice-breaker I’ve seen all week.
I quickly learn that Olusegun is a big fan of Sapient Nitro and the book ‘Storyscaping: Stop Creating Ads, Start Creating Worlds’, penned by McColl and Legorburu. ‘I loved it so much, after I read it I bought 20 copies for my friends and family’. I smile, it’s an expected act for the warmest guy I’ve met here.
Liliana Rossi
Liliana is an advertising student from an extraordinary family. At the age of twenty (she’s savvy for her age), she helps her parents and aunt protect Brazil’s diminishing population of bees. ‘My father was a geneticist, and he believed in the bees’, she says. ‘So our family started to pursue the cause and we all work together’. Amazing.
Liliana’s trying to decide her path after advertising school. ‘I was undecided about whether I wanted to work client side, or agency side. But I think for now… I’m agency all the way’. She’s already in talks to land a job – so if you want to snap her up, connect with her on LinkedIn.
The Young Lions Party
Yesterday, team Australia sauntered to the Palais for music and networking on the Riveria Terrace. And with hundreds of the planet’s future creative leaders in one place… what a party it was. In just a few hours, I met top notch filmmakers from Switzerland and media masterminds from the North Island of New Zealand. It was a surreal night, and one that we’ll remember for the rest of our lives.
Team Australia is taking a short break…
Tomorrow is when Jemma and I tackle the Marketing challenge. Tonight’s going to be a quiet one – we’ll be in our respective hotel rooms, thumbing through notes and reflecting on the inspiring things we’ve seen here. We’ll be back on Friday for more on our Cannes experience. Wish us luck.
Your mate,
Nate