Over 40 students attend Cannes Lions through UGA study abroad

Students with Conan O'Brien

June 2013 marks the fourth consecutive year of the University of Georgia Cannes Lions study abroad program. This year 41 students mixed with over 12,000 delegates from over 92 countries.

This was a special year with the festival celebrating its 60th anniversary. Major themes of the festival included storytelling, mobile and social media, authenticity and transparency. Students attended sessions during the seven-day festival that included over 60 seminars, and a range of master classes, forums, and tech talks.

Exclusive Guest Speakers
This year’s special guests included a star-studded set of exclusive speakers who shared their insights with the students. They included:

• Conan O’Brien, TBS talk show host
• Ellen Mardiks, Golin Harris
• Suzy Deering, Moxie Interactive
• Jack Klues, Vivaki
• David Gallagher, Ketchum Europe
• Kerry Gaffney, MOFILM
• Katherine Ryan, Canadian comedienne/actor

For the fourth year students attended a VIP tour of Microsoft Advertising’s Experience Center, a showcase of the company’s latest consumer technology.

Students talk with Ellen Mardiks

Students in the program mixed and mingled with some of the leaders in the brand, media and agency business. At least four students were offered internships or positions while attending the festival.

Highlights
Other highlights included yacht parties, an event with P. Diddy, scuba excursions, and day trips to Nice, Antibes, Eze and Monaco. Two student groups won "Canned" lions for their campaigns developed during the program.

Professors Karen King and Bryan Reber also participated in this year’s program. They taught sessions about the advertising and public relations professions, and helped preview the festival for students. UGA Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies Dr. Jeff Springston also was on hand for a guest lecture.

Cannes Lions Study Abroad Program
Although most of the students enrolled in the program were from UGA, this year students from University of Arkansas, Colgate and American University also were enrolled. Students earn six hours of academic credit during the three-week program.

On the infamous red carpet at Cannes

The program is co-directed by Drs. Tom Reichert and Nate Kohn, professors in UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Students interested in next year’s program are encouraged to visit the website for more information about the application process.