Why you should pull an all-nighter to get to Cannes

With Cannes Young Lions entries closing on Friday former winner Iggy Rodriguez has the reasons why you should pull an all nighter to finish your entry.

Okay, sure it’s the last minute, but plenty of famous campaigns have been written right before a big meeting or on the night before a pitch. You’ve got a few days, so you’re laughing.I’ve been lucky enough to compete in the Young Lions at Cannes a couple of times and I can honestly say there’s no better launching platform for your career in the ad business and no better reward for busting your chops on a brief.

The Young Lions is like competing in the Olympics Of Advertising. An odd notion you might think.

Upon arriving to the Young Lions Arena in the main stadium of Cannes (AKA The festival auditorium) each country is lined up side by side. As Aussie representatives, you’re wearing your green and gold Adidas tracksuit and carry an Aussie flag patriotically in your hands. You look to your right and see the team from Argentina, to your left the team from Austria. Across the hall are the Poms, the Swedes, the Russians and Zimbabweans, all with their game faces on. These are best young creatives from all over the world and they want to take you down. You’re given your brief and wait for the referees whistle to blow.