Craig Chester’s Cannes Diary: Day Three

Craig Chester, CD, Saatchi & Saatchi Health is Australia’s representative on the Health & Wellness Lions jury. Chester, along with most of the Australian and NZ jurors, is reporting exclusively for CB.

Today was a slightly shorter day for me and my fellow judges, ensconced in our darkened conference room. It was another day of culling. Of trying to find the work that moved us most and made us believe in the product being promoted.

The look of concentration on every jurors face throughout the judging session left me in no doubt that all are taking their roles very seriously. Their attitudes also reminded me why they were chosen as jurors in the first place – they care about creativity and the endless push to do good and do better.

Mostly though, I suspect they want to continue being inspired throughout their working lives and see the Lions as a means to that end.

Tomorrow we begin shortlisting and some hefty debate is inevitable. The jurors on the Health and Wellness side of proceedings are getting along very well so far. It will be interesting so see how far individuals are willing to go to fight for an idea they believe in. Regardless, I’m confident all will be mates at the end of proceedings.

Kevin Costner once said, build it and they will come and the large number of condom campaigns I have seen over the past two days suggests Kev was right.

You could also say the same about our industries product and its people. In three days the Lions Health award ceremony will take place and indeed the masses will come. And I suspect, many hangovers as well.

Tomorrow will be my third day of jury duty. So far it’s been quite a ride.

@cchestercd