I landed at the Nice airport (pronounced niece) at about 8.45 am local time. The shortlists were going to be announced at 9 am.
I called my colleagues back in office to check the results online and tell me. But I then just switched off my BlackBerry and tried not to get worried about the awards.
In about 40 minutes, I was at Martinez, where I was booked for the week. I ran to the reception and picked a copy of the Lionsdaily, a Cannes publication that reaches every hotel every morning with the previous day’s highlights and, of course, the dreaded shortlists. I prayed that His will be done and opened. It was like board exams all over again.
My tense fingers spotted Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, Mudra a few times. I also found Bates, McCann, Creativeland Asia and Taproot a couple of times.
Where is Publicis? Where is Publicis? Finally in radio, two shortlists for Publicis Communication.
For Stedfast shredders. It’s a whacky idea created by Raylin and Sudhir from my Delhi office. Produced and directed by Mukesh Jagoorie.
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The spots are about what happens when someone very curious tries to piece together shredded information and reads out. What you get is hilarious non-sensical stuff. One is on JFK and the other on Roswell.
Overall, there are about 30, 40 shortlists for India.
In just a little time, we will know if yesterday's shortlists in Direct, Promo, PR got converted into metals.
When I reached the Palais for the registration, I was welcomed by a huge crowd. Which actually turned out to be a big queue for the registration. It looked like the delegates had recovered from last year’s recession and so has Cannes. The last time I stood in a line like that was probably when I stood outside a ration shop in Delhi to buy rice and wheat. At least, this place is air-conditioned and the crowd behaved itself, with no one breaking the line. One has to look back at the queue to see how far you have progressed - always a lesson in life.
I heard a couple of people chatting away. A girl from South Africa and a guy from Manchester. Both were working in independent agencies but were bought by Sir Martin Sorrel and suddenly became part of the same group. I was tempted to tell them that three years ago, I too was in one of his companies, but let it pass.
By the time I got the registration, I was exhausted, so I took only a quick glimpse of the exhibition area, which displays all the shortlisted work. Suddenly, I realised I had nothing in press, outdoor work for the first time since I started winning at Cannes way back in 1999.
I don’t think I will be attending too many seminars today. Though, at five in the evening here there seems to a nice chat about the history of advertising and our Piyush Pandey is on the panel. So, I will probably make it for that session, for old times’ sakes.
There are other seminars I am looking forward to attend. And, one thing that is part of every presentation here is digital, one way or the other. I want to log in as much as possible.
In the coming week I expect to get inspired, angry, motivated. Nervous I already am, since we only have two nominations to play with for the next couple of days. Still, who knows? Jesus needed only two loaves to feed a multitude. Need a miracle, tomorrow.
So, don't go anywhere: we will be right back with more.
Emmanuel Upputuru, National Creative Director, Publicis India