• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, June 24, 2020

Publicis Groupe is having a little fun with its upcoming internal awards show, dubbed the Cannes-Do Awards. The company released a video—stylized as a “caper”-type film--that follows Chairman Maurice Levy and CEO Arthur Sadoun as they embark on a “mission.”

Using a split screen format the video opens in Paris with the two leads plotting a trip by phone before they meet up at the train station. Levy’s a tad late, Sadoun is not pleased.  

The video developed by the Marcel agency, follows their journey by train to Cannes. Equipped with sleeping masks they both get some shuteye before arriving at the Cannes station.

And what would a trip to Cannes be without a little ice cream and window shopping?  Levy even has time to sign an autograph for tourists (they were actually looking for directions).

Finally they come upon the Palais des Festivals only to find it locked up. Levy then discovers a hidden key under the Palais’ iconic red carpet. The video ends with the announcement that the awards ceremony will be presented on June 26 at 6 p.m. (Cannes time) exclusively on the intra-Groupe communications platform Marcel.

Both Sadoun and Levy, in partnership with the Mayor of Cannes, will host the ceremony inside the building with a small gathering of special guests.

“We thought it was important to do this event in Cannes to support the city in this challenging time,” said Sadoun. “I want to thank the Mayor and his team for their warm welcome and great partnership.”

The awards he added, are “also a way to thank our people for their very hard work in this tough period and hopefully put a smile on their face.”

Cheers to that.