We were deeply honoured to be part of the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2024, an event that stands as the pinnacle of global advertising and communication excellence.
Held from June 17-21 in the vibrant city of Cannes, this year’s festival gathered the brightest minds and most innovative companies from around the world. As described by Phil Duncan, Global Design Officer at Procter & Gamble, “Cannes Lions is the epicentre for the world’s best creativity,” highlighting the festival’s role in shaping the future of the creative industries through groundbreaking ideas and inspiration (Cannes Lions)
Our involvement was marked by a series of exciting activations and engagements. Centrally located in the basement of the Palais des Festivals, our Retro Classic Photo Booth became a hub of activity. Positioned alongside “The Work” exhibition, which showcases the best creative work globally, our Retro Booth provided attendees with branded photo strips and captured valuable data. Open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, the Retro Booth was consistently busy, capturing over 300 photos each day and leaving a lasting impression on all who participated.
Additionally, our presence extended to several high-profile fringe events. At the opening of Cannes Lions week, our Video Roamer Booth was featured at the TikTok Sunday Dinner, an exclusive event that set the tone for a week of creativity and innovation. This unique activation allowed guests to record and share their short videos in real-time, amplifying the event’s reach and engagement.
Mid-week, we introduced our Hollywood Glam Photo Booth, which was a highlight at the Young Lions Winners’ celebration, producing glamorous black-and-white prints that perfectly captured the event’s sophisticated atmosphere. The sleek design and classic aesthetic of this booth added a touch of old Hollywood glamour, making it a favourite among attendees.
Finally, we wrapped up our involvement by capturing the vibrancy and excitement at one of the festival’s infamous after-parties, ensuring attendees left with memorable keepsakes of their Cannes experience. Our photo booths became more than just a feature; they became integral to the event’s ambiance and guest experience.
Beyond our photo booth activations, Director, Kate Johnson and London Manager, Hannah Hammond, maximised their time by diving into the wealth of industry talks, insights and networking opportunities available at the festival. They attended numerous trend-setting talks and seminars, gaining fresh perspectives and ideas to implement into the business.
Topics ranged from the future of digital marketing to the evolving landscape of consumer behavior, providing invaluable insights that we plan to integrate into our future projects. They also reconnected with long-standing clients and forged new relationships, broadening our network within the industry. Notably, they even made appearances in competitor photo booths, showcasing our competitive spirit and making a playful statement about who should be booked for next year!
With a branch in southern France, Smile Events & Media are no stranger to Cannes having provided image experiences for international footballer Thibaut Courtois’ wedding in June last year and the TCC Loyalty Forum in October 2022.
Our participation in the Cannes Lions Festival 2024 not only elevated our brand’s visibility but also deepened our engagement with the global creative community. The festival’s diverse range of activities, from beachside networking events to inspiring keynote speeches, offered endless opportunities for learning and connection. We are thrilled to have been part of such a historic event and look forward to bringing the insights and experiences gained back to our work, continuing to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in the industry.
This year’s festival reaffirmed its status as a must-attend event for anyone serious about creativity and marketing, offering unparalleled learning, inspiration, and networking opportunities (Cannes Lions). We are already excitedly anticipating next year’s festival and are in talks with the organisers sharing our ideas for next years activations. We can’t wait to further contribute to this incredible celebration of creativity.
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