‘See It Be It’ Aussie Participant Josie Fox: “I’ve seen it, so what’s next?”
Special Group’s Josie Fox was one of 15 women selected from 760 global applicants for this year’s Cannes Lions See It Be It (SIBI) programme.
Launched in 2014, SIBI recruits high-potential creative women from around the world, sponsoring them in full to attend Cannes Lions for an exclusive programme of events, workshops and mentoring with some of the most respected industry leaders in an effort to accelerate their careers.
After attending this year’s programme, Fox (pictured below) shared her key takeaways from the experience!
I recently attended the 2019 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity as a See It Be It delegate, and safe to say it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career thus far. My time in Cannes was 50 per cent motivation, 40 per cent inspiration and 10 per cent perspiration. While also being 100 per cent ‘is this real life?’.
Hanging out with 14 amazing women from around the world, hearing candidly and openly from some of the biggest names shaping our industry felt more like three and a half weeks of self development than just three and a half days. As the program wrapped up I was shot from a cannon loaded with can-do attitude and the fire under my ass is still well and truly lit.
Back in Sydney (recovering from a post Cannes cold) I’ve had time to digest my pages of furiously scribbled notes and find the themes running through them. Before you read on, I have a challenge to my fellow cynics: leave your eyerolls at the door. If SIBI has taught me one thing (let’s be honest it taught me hundreds) it’s that the more you give in to new opportunities, experiences and points of view, the more they’ll give back. So for the next two minutes, believe the cheese!
i. You Do You
Throughout the program I was lucky enough to hear from over thirty different people in the industry. All incredibly successful. All incredibly different. Proving to myself once and for all that there’s no such thing as stereotypical leader. ‘Oh duh’ I hear you moan. But as a female creative who has never worked under female leadership I had only been exposed to a pretty narrow spectrum of leadership styles. It was empowering to pick the brains of both men and women, introverts and extroverts, and everyone in between. I left the program with a personal brand and the confidence to lead like me – not just imitate what I see.
ii. Tell Your Inner Critic to F*ck Off
It’s no surprise that in a room full of women eager to be the next generation of creative leaders, the notion of imposter syndrome came up (a lot). But what was surprising was hearing how far and wide it spreads. And then learn how to kick it to kerb. A favourite quote I jotted down was from powerhouse Anette King ‘You could feel like an imposter or just look around and think anyone can do anything’. Alongside these ‘f*ck yeah’ moments of inspiration we were also armed with tangible tips and tricks to become more resilient leaders courtesy of Tanya Liversy. We covered everything from how to reframe negative thoughts, to the perspective shifting (and very useful) ‘Scale Of Catastrophe’.
iii. Pay it Forward
This notion isn’t new, but the need for it in our industry is more prevalent than ever. Both at a local industry and global level. Starting small we were reminded to be more vocal and thanks those who impact and influence us. Looking outside our distressed brick walls we were challenged to give back more than we borrow from communities and culture. And in the words of Colleen DeCourcy ‘create change that’s transformational not transactional’.
iv. Invite Yourself
As the theme for this year’s program, the impact of those two words were felt through every part of the course, in ways I wasn’t expecting. As a female creative I was encouraged to invite myself to the big briefs, the big conversations, the big opportunities. As someone who invited myself to enter SIBI this was something I felt more confident in. But as a creative I was also reminded to invite myself to simply do more. Cindy Gallop asked each of us to ‘Identify what we think is missing in the world, and do that’. The advertising industry industry has an immense amount of power and privilege, that we should all feel pressured to put it to good use.
So there you have it, three and a half days of mind blowing wisdom distilled into one brain dump. My experience is one I’m still processing and I’m excited to see what other lessons emerge. In the meantime I hope I’ve lit a small fire under your ass too.
Spikes Asia has announced it will also run a See It Be It programme at this year’s festival in Singapore for 10 female future leaders. Apply here for your chance to be one of them: https://www.spikes.asia/the-festival/see-it-be-it
Latest News
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Digital publisher network Scroll Media has employed ex-Amazon Twitch gaming executive Costa Panagos (lead image) to strengthen its Scroll Gaming capability. Panagos is highly experienced in game advertising and media sales professional with two years in account management at Twitch and three years in media sales at News Corp, so will bring his extensive media agency […]
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
School-leaver service Year13 has launched a new Artificial Intelligence course to upskill young people in AI, made in collaboration with Microsoft and KPMG, at an event to rally industry support behind youth AI fluency. The free online course AI Amplified which is part of Year13’s Academy aims to provide all young people with the opportunity […]
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
General Motors has announced the appointment of Heath Walker (lead image) as the new marketing director for GM Australia and New Zealand, effective April 23, 2024. Walker brings a wealth of marketing and communications experience gained from working across various industries, including IT, sporting, and auto – notably Tesla, Nissan and most recently, Scania in […]
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.
Spotlight On Sponsors: Carsales Strikes With Another Storm-Based Team
Think our hacks are living their sports journalist dreams vicariously through B&T? Confirm it with this reporting.
Commission Factory & AGL Energy Ignite Strategic Partnership To Empower Australian Energy Consumers
Concerned by global warming yet ran the fans non-stop over summer? Add to the guilt with this read.
Allied Nabs Nicola Gold From Pico International Dubai
Seasoned marketer relocates from Dubai to Sydney. Says the shopping's not as good but at least you can get a drink.
Nine’s Push For Gold, Silver & Bronze Ad Opportunities Could Break New Ground In Broadcasting
Nine insists that AI won't dominate its Olympics coverage. And not merely because Bruce McAvaney doesn't understand it.
TV Ratings (16/04/2024): Toxic City Girls Too Much For Farmer Bert
Fans calling out toxic behaviour on Farmer Wants A Wife, seemingly unaware that's the very premise of any dating show.
Kaimera Wins Afterpay ANZ Media Account
Have couriers even started to mention you're overdoing the online shopping? Probably best to avoid this Afterpay news.
Industry Reacts: Stuff Group Swoops In To Save 6pm News After Newshub Closure
As you'll read here, New Zealand's media's in a right state of flux. And nor have they forgotten 1981's underarm.
a2 Milk Launches “Only a2 Will Do’ Brand Platform In First Work From BMF
A2 milk drinkers tend not to bother everyone with their gut health issues & it's a lesson for vegans & the gluten-free.
Can You Recite It In Under 4 Seconds? Maccas Relaunches Iconic Competition With Modern Twist
Do you know what would make a fantastic ad? Drunk people at 3am trying to recite the ”two all-beef patties"
‘Liar, Liar’: Lehrmann Exposed As High Profile Defamation Case Comes To A Close
Having exhausted all avenues in his defamation case, is there only one option left for Bruce - reality television?
MECCA & Fendi Among Premium Advertisers For oOh!media Woollahra OOH Network Launch
If you've not been to the snooty suburb of Woollahra, the locals would like to thank you again for staying well away.
Yahoo Academy Announces Class Of 2024
This academy is strictly for "emerging leaders". Courses don't include 'sleeping at your desk' or 'bunking off early'.
Top 35 Media Leaders Announced For 2024 TikTok Agency Accelerator Program
Despite the ban threats, TikTok keeps marching on. Cementing its reputation as the Julian Assange of the tech.
AiMCO Announces First-Ever Diversity Webinar To Explore Inclusion In Influencer Marketing
Think influencer marketing's a little on the white side? This free webinar's for you. Sadly, it's not given TV ideas.