Brittni Evans on LinkedIn: Cannes Rewind: My week in Cannes, France, for the Cannes Lions… (2024)

Is it time for Cannes Lions to have a Multicultural Category?Like many of you, every year when I leave the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, I leave inspired. And since I’ve had the honor to a judge a few times in my career, I’m always challenged to do my part to move the industry forward.First, I would like to give credit where credit is due. Cannes Lions has done well when it comes to supporting and encouraging diversity and inclusion, especially for people of color. This year I saw more folks that looked like me strolling La Croisette than ever before. This is thanks in part to Inkwell founder, Adrianne Smith and the Cannes Do Initiative, and recently Peter Ukhurebor of BLK@ and Imani Laners’ The Impact of Color Cannes.Kudos when it comes to agencies, brands and companies bringing in talent from the entertainment, music and sports industries respectively. But with all of that, I find it lacking in The Work itself. At the end of the day, isn’t that what we are celebrating?Having a dedicated multicultural category would go a long way to set the stage for more entries that have truly targeted multicultural creative, strategic consumer insights, PR, media, activations and data executions. This also applies to the opportunity for multicultural agencies, brands and media companies that unceremoniously contribute so much to the industry, to be seen on the world stage.ManyBronze, Silver, Gold and even Grand Prix Lions have been taken home that have borrowed, tapped into or have been influenced by trends that were created from multicultural communities. It’s past time to give multicultural the opportunity to get its flowers. Or better yet…it’s Lions.#CannesLions2024 #CannesLions #Creativity #CannesDo #BlackAtCannes

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Are you known for who you truly are or Merely for the badges you wear? Having mentored numerous C-level executives, I've gained insights into their challenges when honing their personal brands. By the way, I dislike the term "Personal Brand."I much rather use the word "Reputation." Pardon me, I have digressed.These experiences are intertwined with my journey, which includes internships and navigating life as an international in Denmark.Reflecting on my tenure with the Danish Trade Council in Brazil, I realized the pivotal role branding played in fostering connections between cultures and industries. There, as an Intern I connected Danish and Brazilian companiesAnd it was astoundingly easy to book meetings simply because I said:"Hello, Mr/Mrs Decision maker I'm Carlos, and I'm with the Danish Government"Guards were down, people would listen in and would be interested in learning more about the companies we were representing.However, upon relocating to Denmark, I found myself stripped of institutional identity, grappling with the reality of invisibility in a new market.This experience underscored the importance of cultivating a distinct personal brand and creating, activating and nurturing a network. From ScratchIt taught me that genuine connections stem from being recognized for who I am rather than my affiliations.Today, I proudly stand as Carlos Monteiro unadorned of organizational labels. This transformation stemmed from a decade-long journey of self-discovery and deliberate brand cultivation.In advocating for senior executives to amplify their voices beyond corporate titles, I emphasize the following: The power of authenticity and generosity in sharing knowledge, Overcoming common roadblocks like self-doubt Many say time is a constraint. However, time is a matter of prioritySo, I leave you with a simple yet profound question: Are you known for who you truly are, or Merely for the badges you wear? I advocate for the former, for in authenticity lies the power to resonate deeply with others and leave a lasting impact on our professional spheres.#personalbrand#branding#authenticity#evolve#community

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Do you, like us, have a passion for the sports event industry? There's something utterly magical about the world of sports events that has always captivated us as sports event consultants. They bring together millions of fans, athletes, and professionals from all over the world. It’s where multiple cultures can intertwine with all the same passions. We’re going to share five points as to why the team at Fuel Sports is absolutely smitten with this incredible field.𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬: In the world of sports, it’s all about collaboration. We have been lucky enough to work with incredible individuals, from athletes to organizations, visionary teams, and the list goes on. By creating these partnerships, we can drive positive change on and off the field.𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: The sports event industry constantly pushes the envelope of innovation. From first-class stadium designs to pioneering broadcast technologies and fan engagement tools, it's a nest for creativity and technological advancement.𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: Whether you're in marketing, operations, logistics, technology, or any other field, this industry offers diverse career opportunities. It's a dynamic sector that welcomes professionals with a wide range of skills.𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Sports transcends borders, languages, and cultures. It has the power to unite people worldwide. We're proud to play a part in international events that foster unity and mutual understanding.𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Let's not forget the substantial economic impact sports events have on local communities. They create jobs, stimulate businesses, and drive tourism. These events leave an indelible mark, supporting livelihoods in their wake.The sports event industry is not just about games; it's about creating experiences, fostering connections, and leaving a lasting impact. It’s a place where passion meets opportunity and where dreams come to life.#FuelSports #SportsEventsPlanning #sportsindustry #SportsEvents

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Lisa Hogg, Lily Darby and I were hosted by Kerrie Finch at the #GlobalMarketingSummit today in Istanbul, Turkiye. We shed some light on our experience “In the Jury Room” at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for the audience largely made up of CEOs and brand leaders. I had four points to share: 1. Award winning work is selfless, in a way. It offers audiences something of value beyond simply selling them. It offers them a good laugh, or a way to make sense of the world, a feeling of deep relatability, or a thought provoking new way to look at an old problem. 2. Award winning work employs the tools of the trade in such a way that the brand becomes an active and contributing participant in the culture it is trying to impact. 3. Award winning work shows immense respect and reverence for the craft of creativity. 4. Award winning work, on the way to being awarded, triggers a visceral response from everyone who encounters it. It’s undeniable. It enriches you in some way for having come across it.

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Introducing Common Ground, a series of panel discussion brought to you by Andpeople that brings business and cultural leaders together to talk about a new era of brand relevance. We're inviting some of the country's most accomplished professionals to explore how brands and culture can not only co-exist, but thrive together. If you're interested, RSVP via the link or hit me up!

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The most diverse and inclusive Cannes? This year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has been dialogued as the most inclusive in its history. It’s absolutely I mportant to celebrate and applaud the number of internal and external initiatives that have led to that conversation being had👏🏾However, whether that statement is true or false, the optic shifts shouldn’t blindside us from the huge amount of work needed to include the world’s diverse reality across all facets of the media and advertising world. In front of camera, it’s easy to make a case that, for some groups, underrepresentation is a thing of the past. But when there’s still relative hom*ogeneity in who’s involved in the decision making, narrative telling and data collection, misrepresentation becomes the important word to focus on. In my eyes, Cannes is a week of opportunity, serendipity and fosters an environment that allows typically guarded seniors to be human - it’s great. But as a microcosm of the industry at large, scratch beneath the surface and things need to (and will) improve. 🤨Where were all the young people? So many conversations about Gen-z with not much presence from that age demographic. As Ebinehita Iyere perfectly put, “we’re talking about them and making bold statements but they’re not here. And tbh this environment isn’t somewhere I’d think to bring the young people I work with.”💰A disconnect between the millions spent to shmooze, wine and dine, whilst cuts are still being made across the board. Something that still doesn’t sit right with me. 👍Not enough disagreement. If Cannes is all about creative excellence, panels shouldn’t be designed to just be a nodding match with a ‘love what was said, let me build’ type of engagement. I think Damian Bradfield put it a lot better than that 😂💡Too much talk about trends that the industry rather than the consumer sets. A couple of years ago it was the metaverse, this year everything was about AI. Things might come to the light, but let’s not force it. And let’s make sure these are convos actually being had on the ground rather than in our ivory towers. 🏛️Optics of diversity but not enough equitable and structural change. Still no accessibility ramp on a load of beaches 🤷🏾♂️A big highlight of my week was this talk at Goals House which was a refreshing space away from the madness, talking all things disruption w/ Gail Gallie, Damian Bradfield, Leah Davis & Taso Du Val. Sorry but I’m really terrible at keeping up to date so Cannes posts for the week 😂

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After my inspiring participation in the international #realestate fair #ExpoReal, I am confident that there are significant #opportunities in the real estate market despite the current difficulties or precisely because of them.A key dilemma for many #investors is that #equity is scarce and #debt is costly. The cautious attitude of banks has not helped this situation. But there is one bright spot: The conspicuous presence of #privateequity houses at the fair shows that they are actively positioning themselves. I interpret this as an indicator that we will see more deals on the market in the coming period.In particular, I see potential in the so-called #distresseddeals. #Developers who can no longer build due to various financial constraints offer opportunities. With the right fundamentals and utilisation strategies, there are attractive #opportunities, especially through preferred #equity #investments. Here, cash flow is critical to cover running costs while having the flexibility to adjust rents or wait for the optimal time to sell.Nowadays, the focus is on structuring financing and investments #intelligently, for example in the form of #jointventures.I am curious about the developments in the market. #exporeal #privateequity

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As I celebrate my birthday today, a lot of career self reflection is going through my mind. I would love to hear your thoughts on the choices you’ve made and the key insights you’ve had.📚⚽️1) My football aspirations were high, but realizing I’d never make it to the World Cup, I decided to study and focus on a professional business career. I was fortunate to get into the Stockholm School of Economics, which has been instrumental in shaping my approach to business and strategy. Not to mention all the people I met there who many I'm lucky to call my best friends today. 💡Key insights from my studies: Enjoy your time, be part of many student activities and associations and find the balance between studying hard while having fun!🗽🌎2) Joining Absolut Vodka in New York was a quick and amazing wake up call to real life. Working under the Pernod Ricard Umbrella across the world taught me the essence of being bold in your sales and marketing tactics, while creating the most amazing company culture. 💡Key Insights: Be open to move abroad, it will accelerate your personal and professional development. 💙///3)Being part of Adidas, whose core belief is that sport has the power to change peoples lives, was a dream come true and I was privileged to lead a dedicated team across Nordics and Southeast Europe, fostering growth and achieving remarkable milestones together.💡Key insights: Follow your passion, imagine being able to talk about your genuine personal interests in business meetings, it makes work so much more fun!🚀4)I’ve always wanted to be part of a startup or scale up. So when The Giving Movement offered me the role as their Chief Brand Officer it was an easy choice. Transitioning to the startup scene In Dubai has been a fulfilling chapter. I have so much belief in the potential in this region and I’m proud of my team's significant brand advancements.💡Key Insights: Dare to take some risks in your career but make sure you do your due diligence of the company or founder before jumping ship. 🙏🏽So as I summarize my journey, this birthday is all about gratitude - for the mentors, colleagues, and friends who’ve been part of my story. Here’s to more growth, learning, and fun ahead. Thanks for being along for the ride!

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My continued and deep appreciation for the 60+ sports industry professionals who participated in "The Sports Industry Talent Incubator" on January 19th. This particular LI post is a special acknowledgment of the industry leaders who served on the Conference's first panel: "Scoring with Skills, Winning with Character".= Brad Epstein, Marketing Strategy Manager - ESPN Wide World of Sports,The Walt Disney Company= Gabe Haggard, Executive Director Technical Operations and Media Systems, Tennis Channel= Gregg Morriss, Director, Programming & Acquisitions, ESPN= Jessica Leigh-Anne Brown, Executive, Global Brand Partnerships, CAA Sports= Katherine O'Malley Randall O’Malley Randall, Vice President, Creative Strategy and Production Operations, The Players' Tribune= Kevin Moss, Community Affairs, Major League Baseball= Sean Merriman, College Football & Basketball., FOX SportsIn the following video recording, you will hear lots of great insight shared about the essential skills and character traits necessary to break into the sports industry and to sustain success: https://lnkd.in/ggM6qXbT. A few of the gems are below: = Exhibit kindness under stress.= Always be a student - try something new, evolve yourself.= Be organized, but also learn to keep others around you organized.= Character is important: a team is only as good as the sum of its parts.= Understand the difference between soft skills and hard skills - put yourself in the shoes of hiring managers.= Relationships matter and are extremely important: sports is a relationship based industry; you are spending a lot of time with people on your team.You can view the Conference Guide and recordings of the other 2 Conference Panels below:= Conference Guide ( https://lnkd.in/g6qcThij)= Building Your Team: The ABCs of Networking (https://lnkd.in/gPE-8RKe)= Your Sports Career Playbook: Networking, Mentoring and More (https://lnkd.in/g5kD7Zwb)

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