Last year, we booked a flight to Cannes 3 weeks before, and showed up knowing nothing. This year, we’re hosting a CMO Dinner, a very informal happy hour, and have a bit more experience. So we thought we’d share for any first-timers going. See you there? Hit reply if you want to meet. Enjoy! Hit the links to skip to the bits you fancy 01:41 — ALL ARE WELCOME // If you’re going for the first time, this is for you. 02:50 — HOW CANNES HAS CHANGED // It used to be about the awards. Now the programming is the main draw. 04:35 — BEING AN OUTSIDER IS FINE // No pass, no problem. Go open and let the run-ins happen. 05:00 — WHERE TO MEET // The properties with real space to actually talk to someone. 09:30 — TOO MANY PANELS // You panel out by day two. Some brands like Cîroc are offering fun alternatives. 11:58 — THE ACTIVATIONS WE LOVED // Where we’d go first and why. * Pinterest Manifestival: 100% worth it. * Female Quotient: Best panels last year. * Canva: Chill vibes, morning sound baths, and a proper coffee bar. * Collins House: Lovely villa, great talks, actual space to meet. See you at the Substack private breakfast on Thursday? * Adobe: Big property, festival-affiliated. * LinkedIn: Big property and spaces for creators if you are one. * TikTok: Well-organized last year. * Brands & Culture: Open to everyone, great content, we love Charlotte and Jo. * Edelman: Cooling towels and popsicles in the afternoon. Sounds like it will be lovely. * Cîroc Athletic Club: No panels, IV drips, paddle, massages, drinks. We’ll be there on Wednesday afternoon, if you’re there. * World Woman Foundation: New to us this year. * You’ll find tons more as you walk around. 12:49 — PRE-WORK // Walk the footprint, register for every event individually, and bring 10 battery packs. 16:02 — SHOES, PACKING, AND THE HEAT // Lightweight sneakers, zero synthetics, hats, and scheduled outfit changes. 19:03 — GO TO THE BASEMENT FOR THE AWARDS // If you’ve got a badge, go see the work downstairs. It brings you back to why this whole thing exists. 20:22 — THE DIPS // Warm dip is not it. Don’t forget to get real food in your body. 21:27 — WHERE TO EAT // The Japanese spot and beachside with your feet in the sand. My small saved list (use code GOODTHINKING) 24:27 — BOOK THE CAR + GETTING AROUND // Pre-book your taxis, carry-on only because strikes are real, and budget 30 minutes to walk everywhere. Hit reply if you need a recc re: taxis. 27:17 — COFFEE + THE SUPERMARKET MOVE // Stock your fridge with fruit for the 5pm crash. Good Mate and Copenhagen are your best coffee bets. Also, don’t miss Breakfast Club. Tuesday 9:00am, open invite to all. Check Breakfastclubbing.com as the venue may change. 28:25 — SWIM, MONOPRIX, AND PLAN LESS // Swim in the ocean at least once, hit up Monoprix for cute hats, and leave room for spontaneity. Join us for a Friday morning swim. Hit reply. Finally, friend of the letter, Jeanine, also put together a Spotify playlist for fun flight vibes. Have the best time. It’s going to be hot, you’ll be tired, and you’ll come back with a good story. That’s all, folx. – Chris PS — Find us on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. PPS — Our job board is live. Post a job!ABOUT Chris and Kirsten are the founders of IN GOOD CO, a consultancy that ignites challenger brands with fearless positioning. Chris writes a weekly newsletter for +17K subscribers that shares the best-of-the-best on culture, trends, marketing, etc. What she's dropping to friends on Slack or finding useful in meetings with brands | Follow her on Substack Get full access to GOOD THINKING at ingoodco.substack.com/subscribe