Nobby’s Cannes Diary – part three

David ‘Nobby’ Nobay, creative chairman of Droga5, Sydney, isrepresenting Australia on the Direct jury.He’s just finished day three of judging and writes exclusively forCampaign Brief, the only Australian trade press in Cannes this year.Other Aussie and Kiwi jurors will be contributing exclusively to the CBBlog over the next week, so make sure you check in daily, hourly,every minute…

Beforeyou ask, that long thing in my mouth yesterday was a Sheesha (sp?)pipe, after a rather long spell of judging at this year’s Dubai Lynx. Idon’t put just anything in my mouth, contrary to popular rumour.

Speaking of marathon sessions, I just left judging at the Palais, andit’s 9.30pm. I’m shagged. Oh, and it’s pissing down again, which wasquite welcome, as it actually woke me up a bit and prevented me fromcollapsing face down on the Croisette in exhaustion. It’s amazing therivetting debate that can ensue from a simple bit of directcommunication. To be honest, most of what made it onto the shortlistwouldn’t have even been called “direct” back in my schooldays atO&M Direct, but, as our Chairman Pablo enjoys explaining, it’sreally all about storytelling and engagement, which is lovely.

What’seven more lovely is the amount of Aussie/NZ stuff which has made thefinal cut. (And no, I didn’t have to put anything in my mouth to get usthere.) The work stood out like the proverbials, and it was clear that,as a region, we’re well ahead of the pack. I can’t say too much, otherthan some of the catagories look more like the results from AWARD thansomething as global as Cannes. We really have surpassed ourselves, atleast at finalist stage. That said, don’t crack open the Blue Nun justyet. Experience of Cannes juries reminds me that it’s not over til thefat lady sings and the crowd starts whistling. Things at the top of thefinalist list, often have a habit of tumbling south once the wrongjuror gets the bit in their mouth and jumps up on the soapbox, but it’sa bloody healthy start, regardless.

Still, at least I’m reachingthe final post, with metal debate all through Sunday here, and the showon Monday. It was funny seeing the second wave of Aussie jurorsfrollicking about at lunchtime; all fresh-faced and bouncy – unaware ofthe gruelling days of hell and bad coffee that lie ahead. DiLalloseemed particularly chirpy, and Rocky had a wolfish grin that I’m surewill start to fade after another day in the rooms.

More as it happens….

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