Cannes Lions came at an important point for me. My career started in film and video production, and my time at NYU SPS helped me expand that background into marketing, branding and strategy. Cannes gave me the chance to see those worlds come together in a much bigger way.
As part of my NYU SPS experience, I took part in a Global Field Intensive that included time in Paris and Cannes. What stood out to me was being able to go from conversations about strategy, branding and creative briefs in the classroom to seeing how agencies and brands actually bring those ideas to life.
I also had the opportunity to reconnect with people from Havas after visiting the agency in Paris, which made the experience feel less like simply attending an industry event and more like continuing conversations and relationships I had already started building.
Sports Beach was one of the parts of Cannes I was most interested in. Sports have always been a major interest of mine, and the conversations around storytelling, fans, creators and brand partnerships helped reinforce the direction I want to keep exploring professionally.
I also attended sessions and events connected to Amazon Brand Innovation Lab, MediaLink and other agencies and brands. A lot of the conversations focused on creator-driven content, influencer and UGC campaigns, data and AI, and how brands can connect with audiences in ways that feel relevant rather than forced.
The biggest takeaway for me was how connected production and marketing really are. My production background taught me how to execute ideas, manage projects and work with clients. NYU gave me a stronger foundation in marketing and branding. Cannes helped me see how those skills can work together, especially in sports, entertainment and audience-focused marketing.
It also reminded me how much I value meeting people, asking questions and learning how different teams approach the same challenge. Those conversations and connections were just as valuable to me as the panels and presentations.
© Copyright 2023 || Jeremy Muschel. All Rights Reserved.