The presidency isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, says Fran Luckin. The 2017 president of the print and publishing jury at this year’s Cannes Lions — the world’s biggest festival of advertising and creativity — has no personal jet, no cheering crowds, no nuclear button and definitely no executive veto barring entries from countries she doesn’t like. What she does have is familiarity with the task ahead and realisation that, despite her apparently all-powerful title, she is one of a team. Luckin, chief creative officer at Johannesburg-based advertising agency Grey Africa, has served on Cannes juries three times in the past seven years. As someone whose own work has previously won Cannes gold, she knows the importance attached to the awards, and their effect on agency reputations and individual careers. Few South Africans get to head Cannes juries. Most internationally acclaimed local creatives have made their names after leaving the country. Luckin’s reputation is securely home-based. ...

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