Ah, Cannes Lions, where creativity, innovation, and a touch of glamour collide to create a whirlwind of excitement in the advertising world.
Our recent trip to the iconic festival was a rollercoaster of networking, learning, and of course, a little bit of fun in the sun. As we soaked up the atmosphere and rubbed shoulders with industry giants, one thing became abundantly clear - the landscape of Cannes is evolving. Gone are the days of solely celebrating creativity; now, it's all about the rise of ad tech, commerce, content creators, and conversations on AI. And let us tell you, it's a wild ride.
When Gen Z Met Gen X and Decided Maybe They’re Not So Different
AdWeek’s "Trends of the New Consumer" session was an eye-opener, not just because of the free martinis. We were treated to a fiery debate that essentially concluded: hey, maybe Gen Z and the previous generations are cut from the same cloth, just stitched with different threads. Julia Goldin, Andrea Mallard, and Jerri Devard, the trio of marketing maestros, led us through this epiphany, arguing that it's less about the generational tags we wear and more about the stages of life we're pirouetting through, heavily influenced by the digital tools and gizmos at our disposal.
Whether it's your nan figuring out how to order groceries online or your teenage cousin scrolling through TikTok shop, technology levels the playing field, and perhaps we're all dancing to the beat of a similar drum, albeit in different shoes.
Sailing the High Seas of Commerce Media
Hoist the sails because all eyes were on the horizon of Commerce Media this year. Aboard Criteo's Commercetopia yacht, which might as well have been the Black Pearl for all the mystique and allure it commanded, was where we gained insights from Luc Bondar (COO & President at United Airlines Mileage Plus) on their revolutionary overhaul of United Airlines’ advertising network, transforming their in-flight screens into a Commerce Media utopia.
Amazon, flexing its muscles on La Croisette, showed us all the monumental scale of what ad tech and commerce media can achieve. Their A’ Maison was not just a display; it was a statement – a declaration of the changing tides in our industry.
Then you had the likes of The Trade Desk, Teads, Klaviyo and a treasure trove of other companies, each bringing their unique compass to navigate these uncharted waters with customer-first strategies, innovative ad solutions, and personalised, impactful advertising in a digital world.
Vudoo Dazzles with Debut Panel
Stepping into the limelight at the VideoWeek villa, our Vudoo squad had its moment of glory, hosting our premiere panel discussion. It was a deep dive into the boundless potential of content commerce, painting a future where every content and ad could be a shopping aisle.
With the panel featuring a lineup of luminaries including Soumya Sriraman (Tech, Media, and Commerce Leader), Chris Ziemer (Global Industry Specialist Leader, Monetization, Media, Entertainment, Games, and Sports at AWS), Paul Blackburn (Director of Commercial Data, Video & Product at News Corp Australia), and our very own Nick Morgan, it felt like we were assembling the Avengers of advertising.
Discussions zipped from the transformative power of creating digital storefronts everywhere on the web to the exciting possibilities AI brings to the table. It wasn't just talk; it was a clarion call for the industry to gear up for a revolution where content doesn't just engage—it allows consumers to shop at the point of inspiration.
No podiums were harmed in the making of this discussion, but we reckon a few minds were blown. As the curtains fell on our session, it wasn't just a pat on the back for us; it was a mic drop moment, signalling Vudoo's dive into the big league of industry shakers and movers.
Our hearts also swelled with pride as we sponsored IPG's MediaBrands activation, marking another first for us. And shameless plug, but we were super stoked to have won a WARC award for strategic brilliance and effective impact, celebrating at The Contagious Villa.
What about Cannes Lions 2025?
After a year that saw ad tech titans rub elbows with creative jedis, we're left wondering, "What's next?" If this year was a rocket, next year's going to be a whole flippin' lunar mission.
Commerce media, the darling of Cannes 2024, is expected to strut its stuff even more boldly, weaving its way through every conversation. We're envisaging a bonanza where CTV, Retail Media and Commerce Media won’t just be buzzwords but the belle of the ball.
Cannes Lions 2025 is set to be a whirlwind of innovation, where the only thing we can expect for certain is to be pleasantly surprised. After all, who doesn't love a good surprise?