CANNES DAILY DIARY: Day 1 with Jabulani Sigege

DAY 2 JUDGING

It’s on – the finalising of the Audio & Radio shortlist, on Day 1 of judging. Some fellow jurors get croissants that are so perfectly made, you’d think they were AI.

At the Palais, where judging takes place, we sit in a room with a beautiful view, going through the pieces meticulously. Sharing opinions. Asking questions. Exchanging insights when necessary. Coming across “I wish I did that” work and marvelling at how audacious it is. When we are done, we head back to our home away from home, to get much needed rest ahead of Day 3. 

DAY 3 JUDGING

Things are for real today, as it’s the awarding of metal. This is something no-one takes lightly, as we are all aware of what this means – whatever gets awarded sets the benchmark for the work that will be entered next year in Audio & Radio. We know that we will take as long as is needed. Deliberations over the 2 Golds and the Grand Prix are interesting, to say the least. Not because they are heated or there are assholes – far from it, in fact. Everyone is respectful, mature and gets to voice their considered opinion. New perspectives are unlocked, minds changed, and then changed again. But in the end, when we vote for them, we are unanimous. It’s been a good, albeit long day, and we are all very happy with the selections that will receive the coveted Cannes Lion metal. And we know the lucky recipients will be as well.

To celebrate, we all go watch the World Cup games at La Boheme. Pay it a visit, you won’t regret it. Especially during happy hour (if my memory serves me correctly, it ends at 19:00).

DAY 4 JUDGING

It’s blazing hot yet again, as I make my way to Hotel Martinez.

I take part in a Publicis inspiration session for the afternoon, where I meet people from other offices around the globe. On my way back to the hotel, I bump into a fellow South African. Now I know it’s on, when he’s in town. It’s also a sign that the Mzansi contingent is pretty much all here. Oh, happy days.

DAY 5 JUDGING. DAY 1 FOR CANNES WEEK.

It’s the day we have been waiting for, me and my fellow Audio & Radio jury members. Awards Night 1, where our selections will be revealed.

We will be villains to some and heroes to others. But what we do know is that the best work, in our category, has made it to the top and we can’t wait to see the joy on people’s faces when they see their blood, sweat and tears being recognised. Unfortunately, not everyone can win but at least we know that we applied ourselves to ensuring that the category keeps pushing forward.

Well done to all the winners tonight, particularly Joe Public for repping SA and putting a mark on the Mzansi scoreboard.