GLOBAL – JULY 2011 – Had David Ogilvy been alive on June 23, 2011, he would have wanted to walk the entire length of the Croissette on the longest red carpet ever seen in Cannes, all the way to the Palais des Festivals. It would have been his 100th birthday. Over those famous steps, the Cannes Lions billboard gave way to one with an image of a dashing younger self. The billboard copy read: "On this day, 100 years ago, David was born to inspire. What inspires you? #DO100"
When darkness fell over Cannes, the boulevard leading to Le Grand Hotel was awash in Ogilvy red. Raspberry cocktails flowed as roses and red curtains greeted guests in the garden and acrobats balanced themselves atop poles. Despite his dislike for travel and suspicion of awards in general, D.O. would have made the trip from the Château de Touffou, the 12th century castle in Poitiers that was his retirement home, for such a celebration.
For those who missed it, here is a video coverage of that day by Jos Krützmann..
