Vox Pop: Tom Eslinger, Saatchi & Saatchi

CB catches up with Tom Eslinger, LA based worldwide interactive creative director of Saatchi & Saatchi.

HIGHLIGHTOF CANNES 2009?

The NewDirectors’ Showcase. Not just because we did it but also because it was greatto see so many people get so excited about the work. Most of the works that weshow here has a certain amount of criticism with it, or bitchiness about it,but this was overwhelmingly positive as people were walking out afterwards. Everybody sawsomething they liked, or thought was really kind of cool. The Contagious panelwas good, 42 Entertainment was awesome.

LOWLIGHT?

Still beingout at 4.30 this morning. The longer I stayed out the lower it got. 

MOSTINSPIRING MOMENT?

I thoughtsome of the Young Lions work was really cool. I saw a team we had here from Belgiumthat won a competition and just the expression on their faces being here.There’s a lot of magic and a lot of really wonderful stuff happening but whenyou hear it through the eyes of somebody who is here for the first time youstop being cynical for five minutes and stop bitching about, ‘that stuffshouldn’t have won’, ‘why didn’t we win’.

BESTPARTY/SOCIAL EVENT?

The Campaign Brief Colombe d’Or Lunch. It was like a Kiwi barbeque.