Ron Samuel’s final flashbacks from AdFest 2017

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PUM and Ron.jpgFormer judge and AdFest veteran Ron Samuel (pictured right) details his final flashbacks from AdFest 2017.

 

Every time I go to AdFest I promise myself not to have a big night if I have to catch a flight the following morning. Then someone says ‘ don’t worry it’s just a quiet drink, with a few new friends’. So after two hours sleep here I am, again, on the plane bleary eyed, with my liver and kidneys applying for a restraining order against me. They want out.

 

Was it all worth it? Was AdFest really worth it?

Well, the other evening (they all blur into one eventually), I met Pum Lefebure (pictured above left) from Design Army New York.

She’s one of those talented people whose work you admire from afar but never actually think you’ll ever meet, let alone talk to. While we were having a chat a young delegate from Japan (pictured below right with Pum) came over and introduced himself and joined the conversation. Pum happily listened to what he had to say and he told her what he enjoyed most about her presentation. Later he joined the party at the revolving bar and was welcomed by the other judges, speakers and various jury members, who hadn’t gone crazy yet, he had a great time.

 

Pum_YoungJapaneseCreative.jpgWhen I spoke to him later he said that this kind of opportunity only really happens at AdFest. The show is purposefully designed for networking, for everyone, at every level, and everybody makes an effort to engage. Of course, you need to decide whether it’s over a breakfast burger and beer at 6am, or the fabulous lunch that happens every day in the convention centre. You can be as sensible or silly as you like but you won’t be alone.

 

You couldn’t wipe the smile of that young creative and that’s the real value of AdFest. You don’t have to win an award to come away feeling like a winner.

 

See you all next year.