Pick your player: The Cannes Personas of 2023

The Digital Voice™’s Ultimate Guide to Conquering Cannes

Welcome to Cannes 2023. Picture this - it’s beautifully warm and sunny, and the advertising and marketing industries are buzzing with excitement for the week ahead. Everyone gathers for a mountain of events during the fabulous few days you’re here. But there’s a catch - you can’t do everything (sorry!)

Here at The Digital Voice™, not only do we live and breathe Cannes as we attend and support our amazing clients, but we recognise that Cannes caters for everyone in different ways. So, which Cannes player do you embody, and how can knowing this help optimise your experience?

Let’s help you find out…

The Early Riser

The early riser does what it says on the tin. Your idea of feeling fresh embodies early morning movement and activity, and you probably secretly love the saying, “the early bird catches the worm” – but you try not to milk it. For you, the perfect day at Cannes Lions consists of waking up to the stunning sunrise, maybe a walk on the beach, and then a day full of networking, meetings, talks and seizing opportunities. Finishing off the day with a well-earned dinner or drinks, with a solid 8-9 hours sleep so you’ll be ready and raring to do it all again the next day. Maybe you’ll mix it up with a sunrise swim or run? Who knows.

The Sober Lush


For you, navigating Cannes as a social event is something that requires more of an eagle eye on themes, content, and the vibe of the event. It is about changing the ingredient, not the habit so you want to enjoy all that Cannes has to offer - minus the hangover! Whether you’re looking for activities focused on more than just booze, or simply experiences that have wellness baked in, an ideal day in your eyes is focusing on great company, inhaling in a day of compelling content, and relaxing with a hydrating sparkling water or a non-alcoholic rosé in hand.

The Here, There and Everywhere

Start stretching - a big week of running around is on the horizon! As the socialite persona, there’s probably not much chance of you slowing down in Cannes. You’re overflowing with excitement for it all, the events, the place, the people, the parties – and you can’t deal with the fear of missing out! Whether you’re looking to attend a range of events that don’t begin at the crack of dawn, trying to source the best party invites, or simply looking for the best place to grab a smoothie or mimosa in the morning, we’re here to help.

The Scout

Eagle-eyed, pen in hand, back up pen in your pocket: you’re so ready for the juiciest week in advertising and marketing. Your Cannes is packed full to ensure that you get the inside scoop on the best content there is, ready to report & act on as soon as you’re home. You’ve probably already signed up for the panels, the lunches, the talks, maybe you even have a timetable in the making? To say the least you’re very prepared and ready for the week - and we love it!

Okay, so by now you should have a good idea of which persona matches you. Feel like you’re a combination of a couple? No worries, there’s no limit to how many tips you can take on for your week! Find some of our insights below:

PLAYER 1: THE EARLY RISER

You’re a morning lover, with a passion to get the movement in early as a key to feeling fresh and ready to go for the day. 

How to harness your inner early riser:

• Sign up for the Industry 5K run to kick start your morning. Get those endorphins going to knock that day out of the park
• Organise a lot of early morning meetings - why not network over a smoothie or healthy breakfast? French omelette and a juice anyone?
• Take in the sounds of the waves and feel of the sand beneath your feet with some beach front yoga, walk along the Croisette or try a little meditation to set your intentions for the day 
• It’s okay to skip the late night parties to catch up on some Z’s – it’s Cannes, there are plenty of other ways to meet people!

PLAYER 2: THE SOBER LUSH

One alcohol-free French rosé please! Cannes can appear kind of hefty for non-drinkers, but have no fear, this isn’t the case. In fact, Cannes is full of events and groups that are either focused away from alcohol, or dedicated to being sober in our industry!

How to be a sober success in the sunshine:

• Are you a member of any industry groups that support & promote sober living? SPILL network is one to name a few (you can join the SPILL WhatsApp group via this link). Pop a message out to see who else will be embracing the clean life version of Cannes.
• Getting to know fellow attendees may be beneficial in more ways than one - not everyone is there for the drinks. Slip into conversation that you’re not a drinker, and you’ll be surprised how easy it can be to find a sober companion.
• Stay hydrated! And you don’t have to do this by only drinking water all day (although please do hydrate!) Alcohol free beers, rosé & cocktails will be in ready supply ensuring you don’t miss out having a fun glass in your hand.
• The list of events is long but the beauty is they don’t all revolve around industry “drinks”. Focus on events that include an activity or revolve around a meal so you enjoy the best of both. Why not request to join the VeraViews lunch or InMobi excursions on a Catamaran or to La Guerite.

PLAYER 3: THE HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE

Ah – the socialite. We know it, we love it, we’ve all been there. So, let’s talk about having a blast whilst also ensuring you’re maximising your experience at the biggest advertising and marketing event in Europe! 

How to be the top ‘Cannes Connecter’:

• Pace yourself – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. The week goes by quickly but it is a long one that will rack up on your step counter. 
• Try to focus on one big content event and one big party a day - therefore, any others you can fit in your schedule will be a bonus!
• Remember to take time out for yourself - having dinner before you hit the beachfront parties is a must! We love Bobo Bistro, La Table du Chef and Cafe Roma for a relaxed walk-in drink or dining break.
• Make sure you’ve signed up to the ‘hottest tickets in town’ before you land. A lot of industry villas, like Contagious - keep an eye on our socials for this one ;), have opened up registrations and once they’re full, they’re full. Make sure you’re not the one who misses out. 

PLAYER 4: THE SCOUT

Okay, so you’re the Scout. Dead-set on getting the scoop of prime content, you’ve probably already made your own personal event spreadsheet for what you want to sign up for. We bet you’ve already packed your notepad and pen, with a spare, haven’t you? 

How to scout out the best bits:

• Start looking at top companies and whether they have announced their participation at Cannes. As well as signing up for the official Cannes Lions there will be LOADS of activations to choose from, so best to get ahead of everyone.
• A number of our clients are hosting events you’d be heartbroken to miss. Make sure to follow us and our clients on our socials to be the first to hear of the fun things they have planned.
• Join the Cannes WhatsApp chats - they will give you an insight into who’s attending, what content everyone is looking forward to and also offer some last minute travel tips (avoiding the dreaded taxi queues) 
• Network with speakers & fellow peers in the industry: prepare a few burning questions to ask at opportune moments at panels and above all else, have fun! Cannes is informal and the best information comes from the downtime. 
• Bring a handheld fan - you’ll need it for a long day of taking in content!



Whether you’re one or all of these Cannes personas, you’re guaranteed to have a great time. No matter how many times you have attended Cannes Lions, each visit offers a completely different experience that will benefit your role in the industry. Work hard, play hard is embodied and we can’t wait to see you there!

Want to make sure you smash every event this year? Check out our blog: 6 tips for nailing events in 2023 and download our free printable packing checklist!