Paul Frohn: How would you describe your Cannes experience with a single song?
Christophe Lefévre-Henzel: Oliver Cheatham – Get Down Saturday Night
Paul: Was there a project at Cannes Lions 2024 that particularly inspired you – one that’s still on your mind today?
Chris: I think there were quite a few outstanding projects released in 2024, but if I had to pick just one, I’d go with Orange’s “WoMen’s Football.” It’s a brilliant idea – simple, yet incredibly impactful – and the execution was spot on. You could literally see the reaction on people’s faces, which speaks volumes about its effectiveness.
Paul: Did you compete in a Young Lions category? And even if not, what are your thoughts on the competition – do you see it as a valuable experience?
Chris: I had the chance to compete in the Young Lions competition in 2018 (or possibly 2017) in the “Digital” category. We didn’t win in the end, but it was an incredible experience – trying to crack a brief in just 24 hours was intense and exciting, especially since it was for WWE Wrestling.
I’d absolutely recommend taking part.
It’s an amazing opportunity to go head-to-head with some of the most talented creatives of your generation and push yourself to your creative limits. Even if you don’t walk away with the win, just being selected to participate is a huge achievement in itself. It shows you’ve got real potential – and that’s something you can absolutely build on.
Paul: What was the atmosphere at the Cannes Lions Festival – was it what you thought it would be, or something else?
Chris: I’d say it really depends on the schedule you’re on when you go to Cannes. The first time I went was with my agency, and that was an absolute blast – you could take it all in at your own pace, meet tons of people, soak up the atmosphere, and just enjoy the experience.
But if you go as a Young Lions winner or a Cannes Sparkie, it’s a completely different – and arguably even better – experience. As a Young Lions winner, on top you get to compete against the best young creatives in the world, which is incredibly exciting. And as a Sparkie, you work on a real client brief, with the exciting possibility that your idea could actually get produced. You’re also joined by top-tier Creative Directors in the sessions, who are open to questions and generous with advice.
Going to Cannes just for the fun and the parties is definitely exciting – but going with the intention of gaining experience and building genuine connections can be a real game-changer. Just put yourself out there and talk to people, even if it feels random at first – you’ll always walk away with something valuable.
Paul: Did the SPARK Academy program teach you something unexpected or especially valuable – a skill, insight, or moment that stood out?
Chris: We learned some truly valuable techniques – how to uncover insights and turn them into the right ideas – which I still use today in my client briefings. But honestly, there were so many moments throughout the program that were incredibly meaningful. From engaging classes and inspiring guest speakers to unforgettable trips to Munich and Cannes, each experience brought its own unique value.
