Paul Yole in Cannes – Day one

The Brand Agency, Perth’s Head of Strategy Paul Yole presents his take from the Cannes Lions 2011 so far…

DAY ONE

A slow start. Thankfully.

This is the first time I’ve been to seminars on a Sunday and it may be my last.

There was some interesting information as usual, but frankly I found the first few talks a little uninspiring. Martin Lindstrom plugged his new book ‘Brandwashed’ based on some new research but since I’m a planner I should talk about the WGSN session about macro trends. Briefly.

They believe that 2012 will see The Triumph of Beauty and in 2013 the three major trends will be Eco Hedonism, Radical Neutrality and Hyperculture. In short, a year of blending, I guess.

Whereas 2011 seems to be the Year of the Jargon.

In other news, I bumped into my old business partner Richard Clarke, and had lunch with three other Aussie reps, Paul Coghlan of Meerkats and The Brand Agency’s Young Lions winners Tim Seddon and Gene Brutty.

It seems we are four of the many who are writing for various blogs this year. At least it keeps us out of the bars for a while.