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Every year during the third week of June, Cannes turns into a wonderland of creativity, self-expression, dynamic advertising, and competition. This year Cannes Lions celebrated their 66th anniversary and showed up to impress their attendees with incredible content, informative insight, and forward-thinking themes. The major focuses of this year's content included diversity, inclusivity, equality, as well as a theme that has a reputation for being overused but necessary to mention nonetheless - authenticity.
The Akommo team shipped out to Cannes for the week to meet with our clients, promote some of the events we helped with venue-finding services, as well as check out the party scene, of course. And let us tell you right off the bat, ladies and gentlemen, Cannes Lions 2019 was one for the books. For all of you who missed out, and all of you who want to walk down memory lane as you melt in the summer heat, here are the very best of the Cannes Lions 2019 parties.
LADbible at Cannes Lions 2019
To paint a picture in your mind of just how popular the LADbible party at the Contagious Villa was, they had a queue wrapped around the vicinity of the villa 30 minutes before the party even started. Those who attended the party last year certainly did not forget what a great event it was, especially with such promising musicians. This year LADbible hosted a handful of famous UK artists including the legendary DJ Basement Jaxx.
Musical performance at LADbible
There were freshly-baked gourmet pizzas being floated around the villa grounds for hours, football (soccer) jugglers performing tricks by the pool, a game room for Mario Kart, free-flowing glasses of rosé and cocktails, and of course, live music. This party went on into the wee hours of the night and had guests buzzing about it the next day; and the next week. And they're still probably talking about the LADbible party in their offices right now.
Well done, LADbible team! Hats off to you and we're looking forward to seeing you next year.
Verizon Media teamed up with the well-connected Unik Ernest to curate a beachfront bash to celebrate and show their support for LGBTQ Pride. This all-night dance party was decked out head-to-toe in rainbow balloons, lights and performers scattered throughout the beach.
Verizon Media Pride Celebration
To start the party off right, they were serving special signature cocktails, such as the "You Betta Werk", or the "Born This Way" with top-shelf spirits. Guests danced the night away to the sounds of DJ Julian Simon. The tables surrounding the dance floor overflowing with buckets of chilled rosé and wine for the hundreds of guests to cool off in between songs.
Verizon Media Pride Celebration
Verizon Media hosted a few very special in-house guest DJ performances from Iván Markman, the Chief Business Officer of Verizon Media, as well Erik-Marie Bion, VP Field Sales at Verizon Media France! The company's values and interconnected spirit amongst its team members was tangible, the drinks were incredible, and the music set the tone for an awesome night of grooving and getting down at the Martinez Beach.
Here's how the Captify party works. You roll up in a branded Captify van (complete with full-blasting AC, USB charging stations for your cellphones, and arriving on the clock every 30 minutes) to a MASSIVE property surrounded by lush gardens, a private tennis court, and a huge swimming pool that could be mistaken for a lagoon.
The Captify Lagoon
Every year as Cannes Lions news and updates come around, people are simultaneously anticipating the release date for tickets to the Captify party. Captify bring fresh panels with insightful content, live local musicians, steak and hamburgers at the BBQ station, and a full bar under the waterfall by the pool. Yep, a waterfall.
Captify at Cannes Lions 2019
To get a glimpse into what this insane annual pool and BBQ party is actually like, check out the party reel here.
Universal Production Music came back to take over the Bénitier Beach as their stomping grounds this year at Cannes Lions 2019. Located just outside of the Cannes "banana", this beach bash has gained a reputation for being one of the most relaxed parties to attend during Lions.
UPM Beach at Cannes Lions 2019
Guests can relax on their private beach in the sun chairs, under the shade of the umbrellas, or even lounge out on their pier! With an open bar and the perfect hangover food (chips, pizza and burgers), a DJ spinning your favourite songs, and a tropical atmosphere to enjoy all that the French Riviera has to offer, Universal Production Music certainly know how to cater to their guests.
UPM Beach at Cannes Lions 2019
If you couldn't make it to their beach this year, this is an event you certainly don't want to miss out on next year!
PHD hosted an early A.M. poolside panel breakfast at the Contagious Villa the morning after the infamous LADbible party, and what a quick turn around they were able to pull off! They came together to promote the launch of their new collaborative book with eatbigfish, Overthrow II.
Adam Morgan, Pascal van Ham, John Schoolcraft, Elio Leoni Sceti
Upon entering the immaculately-clean villa, guests were greeted with hot tea and coffee and juices, delicious breakfast canapés, and freshly-baked French pastries. After grabbing a dish, the poolside breakfast panel began with leaders who take on leading their businesses from unconventional approaches.
Overthrow II Poolside Panel with PHD
The powerful lineup included, Elio Leoni Sceti, (Co-Founder & chief crafter of The Craftory), Pascal van Ham (Marketing Director of Tony’s Chocolonely), John Schoolcraft (Global Chief Creative Officer of Oatly). They came together with host Adam Morgan to discuss how their brands challenge the status quo of marketing, and how to make a meaningful impact not just as a company but as a wholesome, quality-driven brand.
Kantar House hosted their wide range of events during Cannes Lions at the famous Grey d'Albion residence with some truly spectacular views, delicious brunch, and even better content.
Views of Cannes from the Kantar House
This year at the Hold Her Gaze Brunch, Kantar talked about equality and inclusiveness, and actually walked the walk. Their content consisted of statistics representing inequalities for women and minorities, followed by actionable points to go out and make a difference.
Kantar Group Lineup Cannes Lions 2019
Did you forget that during Cannes Lions 2019 the Women's World Cup was kicking off in France? Cannes Lions 2018 was ALL ABOUT the Men's World Cup, but Kantar was one of the only events we came across that was actually streaming the Women's 2019 World Cup games live, and we were pleasantly relieved. At a festival that was all about promoting equality and authenticity, Kantar really stepped up and practised what they preached this year.
This year the UN partnered up with global data analytics company, Nielsen, and commandeered their yacht for an evening affair with purpose. The Lion's Share Fund is an opportunity for advertisers to use their power and ability to reach others for good. They had live musicians performing, an open bar, and absolutely delicious canapés to follow the panel discussion.
UNDP Lion's Share Fund with Connie Britton
Through The Lion’s Share, the corporate world can now make a contribution each time an animal appears in their ads, raising money for wildlife conservation, habitats, and animal welfare. A simple way to make a powerful difference.
This year aboard the Nielsen yacht, celebrity guest and Lion's Share ambassador Connie Britton, alongside the founding partners from Mars, as well as supporters from JCDecaux, The Economist Group, BBDO, and Finch.
UNDP Lion's Share Fund at Cannes Lions 2019
When we asked Connie Britton why she decided to become an ambassador for The Lion's Share, she said "I am motivated to use my voice and platform to speak up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I'm an advocate for the voiceless, including animals."
To learn more and get involved with the movement, click here.
Tantor Films came back again this year to provide the best BBQ Cannes Lions had to offer. Mouthwatering chuletón, chimichurri, homemade salads and sauces, chorizo, etc... We're drooling just thinking about it because DAMN it was good. Every year they bring in a dynamic grillmaster duo from Argentina and Chile to light up the BBQ and ensure everyone is fed well.
Famous Tantor Films BBQ
Not to mention, their lineup of in-house DJ's who seriously know how to get the party going with a solid flow of music. If you're looking for a refuge from the intense networking scene and you'd rather chill by the pool where free-flowing conversation happens organically, this is your spot.
Tantor Films Villa
To catch a glimpse into the Tantor Villa this year, check out our video recap on YouTube here.
Located at the Martinez Hotel Penthouse Suite #731, The Female Quotient host the famous Girl's Lounge, otherwise known as The Home of Equality, every year at Cannes Lions where all are welcome. This is the ideal venue for an upscale event, as the catering is delicious, the views are unbeatable, and the location is impeccable.
The Girl's Lounge Cannes Lions 2019
The Female Quotient stand for equality in the workplace, and open up a platform for professionals in all industries and fields of expertise to share their creative approaches to making a better world. With nonstop fireside chats, panels, and workshops, TFQ is practically a festival in itself!
Shelley Zallis, Gabrielle Union, and Dwyane Wade at TFQ
This year's lineup featured a few celebrity guests, included and not limited to, recently-retired NBA legend, Dwyane Wade, and famous US actress, Gabrielle Union. The wide range of featured panelists included c-suite speakers from companies such as Google, Deloitte, Verizon Media, Omnicom, NBC, L'Oreal, Swarovski, Facebook, AMEX, and so many more.
Most event planners are already choosing their party venues for next year. Want to secure a great location for Cannes Lions 2020? Send an email to [email protected] and let us find your venue at no extra cost to you and your team.
Apart from an incredible daily lineup of content from the industry's leaders and a prime spot on the Croisette, RTL AdConnect came prepared to go above and beyond this year for their guests at their private beach.
RTL/AdConnect beach at Cannes Lions 2019
Every morning, guests were invited to join their beach for a relaxing star to the day with an hour-long yoga session followed by coffee, juice, fruit, and pastries. The local yoga instructor guided participants through a light yoga session to inspire a positive atmosphere and mindset for the day's busy schedule of events ahead, and we certainly appreciated it!
RTL/AdConnect beach at Cannes Lions 2019
Not to mention, they gave their guests a goodie bag filled with all the necessary items one could ever need to survive the unbearable heat of Cannes, including a hat and fan. We're looking forward to seeing what RTL/AdConnect come up with next year for Lions 2020!
Thinking of hosting your own event next year? It's never too early to start preparing for Cannes Lions! To look at your event venue options and get inspired for your own Cannes Lions party, send an email to [email protected]. One of our venue specialists is ready to help you find the perfect location for your best event yet.