“I’m working, honestly” – A planner in Cannes
Day 5, Thursday: Wednesday(Day 4) was a seminar-free day for me as I joined host Patsy Peacockfrom FBI Recruitment, the guys from CB Australia, Roger Moore (yes, him) and manyAustralia, UK and New Zealand creative legends for a slow lunch at theworld-famous La Colombe d’Or in St Paul de Vence.
Later we took in a party run by The Location Guide on the Majestic jetty.
Todayhad a couple of real highlights. The Saatchi & Saatchi newdirectors’ Showcase was one. You can see the new 2009 showcase on YouTube at www.youtube.com/nds.
Thestand-out for me was the presentation by Barack Obama’s campaignmanager, David Plouffe. As he was introduced by DDB’s Bob Scarpelli Iactually felt a weird sense of emotion that later I discovered othersdid too.
Plouffe got a huge ovation from a fully packed auditorium. He did not disappoint and is almost as eloquent as his boss.
He told us how the real secret to the campaign was the way it blendedgrass roots work and technology. They had over 4 million online donorsgiving an average of $85 each.
They also had a massive army of volunteers, half of whom had never beeninvolved in a political campaign before so the volunteers work had agenuine sense of authenticity. They didn’t give the volunteers a script, they just gave them information and an instruction to “speakfrom your heart”
Plouffe also affirmed that the campaign was far from being only abouttechnology, with mass media like TV playing a major role in spreadingmessages quickly to many people at the same time
The New South Wales government is here this week, trying to sell Sydneyas a location destination and production resource hub. No doubt we’llfind out more at their party tonight but who’s next? Singapore? HongKong?
Lastly, I’m collecting a set of sayings that you NEVER hear in Cannes.Please send in your suggestions, but here is one to start…
“I’ve got so much cash left I’ve no idea how to spend it.”