The Creative Director of Memac Ogilvy Dubai, Sascha Kuntze, will be judging in the Direct Lions category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity this year. Mr Kuntze is expecting 2017 to be one MENA’s best years with a strong body of work that would be competing at the Festival this year. Excerpts:
On The Cannes Lions Experience
Cannes Lions is the creative industry’s version of yearend mega bash, where we take a look at the achievements of the past year, celebrate our best moments and make resolutions for the next year. The latter is most significant as we are inspired by great work from around the world. I’m looking forward to seeing work that matters, work that transforms brands and helps them grow. I hope to see ideas that make us jealous in a way that we create work that pushes our industry forward.
On MENA’s Performance At Cannes Lions
In the early days, we had been the underdogs at Cannes Lions. Yet, more and more great work comes out of this region and continuously travels the world. All eyes are on us. I’m now hearing people in other markets say, “We’re looking forward to seeing what the MENA region has come up with this year.” That’s an achievement we can all be proud of. But it also means we need to deliver.
I’m positive that we will perform. We’ve never had it easy producing great work, but these circumstances have made us stronger. We’ve learned to overcome all kinds of obstacles and I have no doubt that MENA will prove its strength once again.
On Favorite Entries At Cannes Lions
What a year it has been. We’ve planted potatoes on Mars, made zebra crossings human, grew fish in children’s tummies, turned Hammam workers into street fighters, made sense of dyslexia, fought for more women in science, posted wisely, and, yes, had a Trump idea or two as well. And that’s just the tip of the sand dune. This region has done some phenomenal work. Let’s hope it brings back some Lions for our cheetahs to play with.
