244 Days to Cannes: Start Planning Now!

Picture this: It’s a balmy June evening on the French Riviera. The air buzzes with the palpable energy of creative minds converging from around the globe.??

There I was, amid the whirlwind of the Cannes Lions Festival, sipping my café au lait (who am I kidding? It was a glass of rosé) and watching the world’s most brilliant marketers hustle past.??

I saw one colleague yelling to another who seemed to be hobbling on blister-afflicted feet: “Hurry, we’re going to miss Deepak Chopra!” The other whined back, “But that’s at the same time as Alix Earle, and I have her at the top of my list...”??

Having found myself in the same predicament many times over, it struck me—navigating Cannes is its own art form, a complex dance of seizing opportunities, seeing awesome sights, making connections, getting lots of steps in and soaking up groundbreaking ideas.?

As I watched seasoned pros and first-timers alike trying to map their routes through this labyrinth of creativity, I took myself back to some of my favorite vacations—one recent stay in nearby Antibes—and I thought about how a knowledgeable, friendly and exuberant concierge named Pierre had transformed my trip from great to incredible.??

Colleague number one limped after colleague number two, and I wondered how helpful it would be to have a concierge for Cannes, a guide to help brands show up flawlessly at this high-stakes investment.?

And that’s how Cannescierge came to life—a brainchild born out of necessity, inspiration and a hat-tip to my friend Pierre.??

Introducing Cannescierge: An Exclusive Suite of Services Dedicated to Helping Brands Navigate the Cannes Lions?

Throughout my journey crafting memorable brand stories, I’ve gleaned that success at Cannes isn’t just about being present. It’s about being proactive, strategic, and above all, prepared.??

Consisting of seven unique products that can be leveraged together or a la carte, Cannescierge is designed to ensure brands don’t just attend Cannes—they shine.

The Cannescierge Product Suite:?

• Pass or Play: Your first step in Cannes planning, Pass or Play assesses whether attending the festival is the right move and plots a strategic course forward based on a comprehensive scorecard.?

• Going for Gold: From concept to competition, Going for Gold helps craft award-worthy entries for the best chance at securing a coveted yet incredibly competitive Lion.?

• Inside the Jury Room: With Allison experts like me who’ve sat in the jury room, this offering provides a rare glimpse into the judging process and tailored advice for fine-tuning existing award entries.?
• King of the Croisette: An investment fit for a king — Allison will develop a comprehensive strategy for how to show up at Cannes that’s tailored to an organization’s goals and budget.??

• In the Spotlight: From the main stage to the Journal House, Brand Innovators, the Equality Lounge and more, Allison will design a breakthrough speaking platform and pitch key executives to appear onstage for opportunities to elevate thought leadership for brands looking to stand out.?

• Festival Navigator: It’s like a GPS for Cannes via a customized itinerary tailored to each attendee, featuring essential events and exclusive insider tips to navigate Cannes efficiently and effectively.?

• Lessons from the Lions: Curated for teams to glean all they can from the festival, even if they couldn’t attend, this post-Cannes workshop offers insights and inspirations from the festival to elevate team performance back home.?

Navigating Cannes can be as daunting as it is exciting, just like traveling in a new city and feeling pressure to see all the sights, learn something new, eat great food and have a good time. Warm nights on the French Riviera and my friend Pierre may have sparked the idea, but the stories, strategies and the potential for monumental brand impact fuel Cannescierge.??

Whether you’re seeking to dazzle the jury or simply make the most of the festival maze, Cannescierge is our white-glove service to make your Cannes dreams a reality. And as any expert would tell you, the best time to start planning for Cannes is Q4— so what are you waiting for? Reach out to me and my team at [email protected] or via message if you want to discuss — comfy shoes or rosé not required (yet).?

Stay fierce,??

Lisa?