A few hours ago we started the meeting of representatives, and since the first presentation we have begun to take note and learn from what is being done in the world to promote the festival, and as a consequence, advertising creativity.
At the beginning of the meeting they introduced the new members, among others, Latvia, Estonia, Panama, Sri Lanka and Costa Rica. We took a minute to do so and told them about the ratio between land and biodiversity in our country, and how we are determined to add a new species to our environment: lions.
Hearing what is being done around the world, we learned that Turkey created the Cannes Bank, to help finance people’s participation in the Festival itself, in partnership with a local bank. This year they will repeat this with the intention of financing the amount that must be paid for registration, allowing each delegate to arrange their own travel and accommodation independently. The Turkish work program, however, is extensive and includes much more. On the other hand, the Indian representative left us impressed by the numbers of such a large, rich and populated country, as well as by a very important task of promoting and boosting Cannes.
The Finns have created the figure of the Cannes Clinic, and with it, they have carried out more than 20 creative exposure workshops, with their respective sponsors, to stimulate creative development. Spain told us what they do to stimulate the participation of clients in the Festival, showing that in 2007 they took more than 100 people in an effort of hard work, planning and execution. On the other hand, Germany showed their gigantic work to stimulate Cannes, especially in a year in which they were the second country in the world in number of Lions, taking a total of 39 to their country.
I will tell you in more detail about what I have noted and learned later. For now, we will continue to watch for opportunities that we can develop together. Manolo and I are at the side of Susan Lilley of USA Today, who devotes 100% of her time and ample resources in the United States to promote the festival. In front of us is Terry Savage, Chariman of the festival and a warm, outgoing and caring Australian. We are a group of a little over 80 in the lounge, located in the basement floors of the Sofitel St. James, with no windows or anything like it. We don’t miss much, anyway, as it’s drizzling and cold outside.
In this coffee break, I took the keyboard to share a little with you, that if you’re around this corner of the web at this hour on a Monday, it’s probably because we have a common interest: elevating our creative potential to world class. Right?
In the meantime, I’m off for a coffee.
Cheers!