Wednesday, June 24th.
Wednesday, June 24th.
1. Morning Conversation with Bianca Fernandez
We started the morning as a class with Bianca Fernandez, and it was such a cool way to begin the day. Since she's still early in her career, it made everything she shared feel so relatable. She walked us through her career journey, how she got to where she is today, and what it was like breaking into the industry.
As someone who's about to graduate, hearing from someone who was recently in our shoes made the advertising world feel a little less intimidating. It reminded me that everyone's career starts somewhere, and there isn't just one path to success.
2. Load Down with Contagious
I got to my next talk a little early, so I decided to sit in on Load Down with Contagious with Alex Jenkins and Chloe Markowicz. They recapped some of the winning work from the previous night's awards show and talked about the campaigns everyone should be paying attention to throughout the week.
Even though I hadn't originally planned on attending, I was glad I did. It gave me a better understanding of what the judges were looking for and helped me appreciate the award-winning work even more.
3. Who Carries the Fire?
This session challenged the way I think about branding. Instead of asking, "What does the brand want to say?" the speakers encouraged us to ask, "What do people say about our brand?" That small shift completely changes the conversation.
Another idea that really stuck with me was the difference between value and volume. In a world where brands are constantly trying to create more content, this talk reminded me that what really matters is creating something meaningful—something worth talking about and passing along to someone else.
4. Building Legacy: Moving Culture through Originality and Borderless Expression
Without a doubt, this was my favorite talk of the day—maybe even my favorite of the entire week. Hearing Priyanka Chopra Jonas speak about creativity, confidence, and building a lasting career was incredibly inspiring.
One thing she said that I'll never forget was, "Be like water. Find the best situation where you are and make it work." She also talked about how confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you practice every single day. That really resonated with me because I think so many people, especially students entering the workforce, assume everyone else has it all figured out.
She also emphasized following your instincts instead of chasing trends. Ideas are our currency, and if you're constantly trying to copy what everyone else is doing, you'll never create something original. I walked out of this session feeling so motivated and much more confident about trusting myself and what I bring to the table.
5. Student Networking Event at Havas Café
I honestly didn't know what to expect going into the Havas student networking event. I originally thought it was going to be a chance for students attending Cannes to meet one another and network. Instead, I quickly realized it was more of a recruiting event for Havas.
The people I met were incredibly kind, and I'm really glad I went because it pushed me outside of my comfort zone. That being said, it wasn't exactly what I expected. Looking back, I think I probably would have gotten more out of attending another talk during that time. Even so, it was a good reminder that networking comes in many different forms, and sometimes you don't know what an event will be like until you experience it yourself.
6. ADWEEK: Reclaiming Discovery: Inside the New Art of Performance
This panel focused on how digital experiences need to evolve alongside consumers. One point that really stood out to me was how many apps and websites haven't actually changed much over the last five years—they've simply added an AI chatbot and called it innovation.
The speakers emphasized that brands have to meet consumers wherever they are, creating experiences that are interactive instead of expecting people to come to them. It made me realize that good marketing isn't just about advertising anymore—it's about creating better experiences.
7. Cracking B2B Creativity: The Buyability Levers That Power Successful Campaigns
Before this session, I honestly didn't think B2B marketing could be all that interesting—but this talk proved me wrong. One quote that immediately caught my attention was, "B2B marketing doesn't fail because budgets are too small. It fails because expectations are."
It was interesting to hear how successful B2B campaigns aren't just measured by sales. They also improve brand awareness, strengthen brand health, and create long-term business growth. It definitely gave me a new appreciation for a side of marketing I hadn't thought much about before.
8. Debate: Inside Out: In-House or Agency?
I decided to end the day with another debate, especially because I enjoyed Monday's debate so much. Unfortunately, this one wasn't quite what I expected. Instead of hearing two strong sides argue their perspectives, it felt like almost everyone agreed that agencies are the better place to start your career.
Even though it wasn't much of a debate, I did appreciate that they opened the floor for audience questions. It was actually the first session I attended all week that did that, and it made the conversation feel much more interactive. While it wasn't my favorite session, I still left with a better understanding of the differences between agency and in-house life.