The hugs between friends is one of the best things Cannes has to offer. After more than three decades in advertising, it’s not hard to run into people you’ve seen in twenty-five, fifteen or five years.
Last Tuesday we were at the awards ceremony when we saw Nieves Garcia take the stage for two Golds, yesterday for McCann and today for JWT Mexico. I just ran into Pablo del Campo of Saatchi in Argentina, as well as the living legend that is Bob Isherwood, former worldwide creative director of Saatchi until very recently. Last night I met Rodolfo Borrel, a dear friend of festivals and life, a Central American from the Dominican Republic who keeps coming back for more Lions.
The day before yesterday I was leaving a seminar and the friend hug was with Eduardo Fernandez from DDB Chile, while yesterday I was surprised to meet Paul Mejia from McCann-Erickson. Throughout the week, we have shared a thousand with Manuel Madrid from el taier / Tribu DDB Guatemala. Today at 5:00 PM at the Majestic it will be with Jim O’Mahony, ex-Saatchi, and at any moment with more wonderful people from times past, those we are living or those to come.
Yesterday at the DDB cocktail party we met many more friends. From Colombia and Brazil, from Japan and China, from here and there, with the embrace between friends that we enjoy so much. From Juan Carlos Ortiz and Sergio Valente to new friends that are added in this intense world of such short lives, so no opportunity can pass without leaving a smile or a joy.
Hugs are also given among Ticos, those of us who compete and collaborate, because that’s how it always is. With Manolo Gavilán, who is the happy representative in Cannes of Ogilvy Costa Rica, winner of a silver and a bronze two days ago, with Alberto Quirós, Javier Zeledón, Manuel Travisany and Adriana Duarte. Also among those who came from Tribu DDB: Javier Mora, Cristhian Fuentes, Kenneth Prieto and Mariana Morera, as well as Paola Fatjó and Rebeca Barzuna, the Young Clients pioneers of our country.
Ticos from other places also arrive, such as Warren Marenco and Chepe Antillón from BBDO Puerto Rico, Max Gutiérrez from McCann Peru or Yunilda Esquivel from Production in Los Angeles.
With my wife Alex, I really enjoy the week in Cannes because it is a wonderful opportunity to share with friends, one hug after another. I think it’s good to live one’s whole life like that.
