Today was the first day of the Cannes Lions Festival and I am already feeling a mix of emotions. First off I am in shock of how accessible all of the celebrities are. My very first seminar was Celebrities and the Media where I sat second row and watched Martha Stewart, Nick Cannon and Mel B speak. Not only were these celebrities accessible but they talked about topics relevant to my field of study. I heard Nick Cannon explain how instagram has given him more power over his pictures than the paparazzi and how Martha Stewart expands her brand through Twitter. It made me truly think about how social media has changed all aspects of the world we live in.
After this seminar and a lunch break of a fantastic panini I went to a seminar where I had the chance to speak with one of my idols and a woman who has truly impacted the world of women, Gloria Steinem. There was a diverse group of women that made up the panel of seminar named Makers. Sharing History and Creating Connections Via the Stories of Women Who Shaped Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Dyllan McGee, the Makers documentary producer, explained the premise of her movie to be to share the stories of women throughout the country that made an impact within the women's movement; whether it be famous feminists such as Gloria Steinem, or lesser known women such as the first female coal miner. The documentary proved to be fascinating and historical at the same time. McGee explained that this documentary could prove to be the stepping stone for the millennium era generation understanding the importance of the women's rights movement and how it changed society. Gloria Steinem stated that sometimes ''you are not crazy, the system is crazy.'' This seminar was truly inspirational to me because I am a young professional woman about to enter the workplace for the first time. After the ceremony I had the rare opportunity to speak with Gloria and although I was star struck I managed to tell her that she has been an inspiration to women all across the globe.
The last seminar I saw today was called You Need An Enemy. This seminar, hosted by artist Shepard Fairey and Creative Officer Pete Favat dealt with the power of imagery in music, graphic design, marketing and other types of media outlets. The premise of the seminar was to state that every brand needs an enemy. The image of the ''enemy'' can vary widely. Whether the enemy is seen as the other competing companies or to states of authority or even to yourself, brands all need something to push against. Favat stated that ''all art needs resistance.'' This simple quote was extremely innovative and thought provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed the speakers as well as the content of this seminar.
I am excited to see where this week takes me and everything it has to offer. I hope to learn a lot of new information as well as gain new skills within my field.
I really enjoyed your post. It's awesome that you were able to speak to Gloria Steinem. I commend you for reaching out to the various professionals at this festival, because this truly is a unique opportunity that we should all take advantage of. I agree that the "Celebrities and the Media" seminar offered an interesting perspective on the role that social media plays in our lives. Enjoy the rest of your day!
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