Cannes Contenders: Australia

Government of Tuvalu - Preserving Tuvalu

Imagine moving an entire country? Well, the Government of Tuvalu, is the first to consider it due to climate change and the rising water levels over its island nation. Created by The Monkeys and Collider, the campaign delivers a vision of Tuvalu's digital future, through a three-minute address by Tuvalu’s Minister of Justice, Communication; Foreign Affairs, Simon Kofe, at the UN Climate Change Conference, delivering his speech from a digital islet in the Metaverse. 

This bold and visionary approach invites the world to support and engage with Tuvalu's digital future, spreading awareness through a dedicated website, widespread social media outreach and extensive media coverage. This extraordinary endeavour aims to inspire climate action and amplify the voices of Tuvalu on a global scale, showcasing their resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Reaching billions of people, the work was achieved with $0 of media spend. Wow.

Visa - Masters of Movement

With all eyes on Qatar for the first FIFA World Cup, Visa wanted to work with Imagination to use its sponsorship of the tournament to demonstrate that the brand is much more than just a credit card.

We recognised that the Visa network enables the seamless movement of money across the world, just like the best football players move on the pitch. So, we created Masters of Movement – an incredible fusion of football, art and technology. We transformed some of the game’s most iconic footballers and their pitch moves into digital art, minted into a unique assortment of NFTs to benefit the charity Street Child United.

Nike - Never Done Evolving feat. Serena Williams

Nike celebrated its 50th year by honouring Serena Williams and her sporting greatness. Using advanced AI and machine learning it created a simulated match between Serena from her first Grand Slam win in 1999 and her most recent win in 2017. I love how this idea and execution showcases her evolution as a player and her determination to constantly improve, delivering on Nike’s brand values to a tee. It's this type of creativity that I adore because it uses technology to open new ways for us to experience the world and the things we love. More than that, it reveals a slither of what AI will unlock as it's now disseminating into everyday culture. 

Furphy - What The Truck?!

When Australian beer brand, Furphy had to launch its new lager in a beer-flooded market, Thinkerbell flipped it on its head, quite literally. A midnight stunt – craning a Furphy delivery truck between two skyscrapers in Sydney’s CBD stopped commuters in their tracks the next morning. I love the simple and effective tactic of concealing a billboard in plain sight (that led to over 25m impressions!), but more than that, the way it lives up to the brand name – Furphy, being Aussie slang for a tall tale. You can only imagine the general public’s speculation of the scene and the tall tales it created, some confusing it for a Banksy. Yes. 

Netflix - Squid Game

Netflix's Squid Game took the world by storm, becoming the most-watched series on the platform. Akcelo brought the show's iconic Red Light Green Light game to life in Sydney on Halloween. It placed a creepy, 15-foot animatronic doll resembling the eerie Squid Game character at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

With cryptic invitations scattered around the city, thousands of enthusiastic fans ventured out to join in the real-life game experience. Influencers received special Squid Game packs, further fuelling the excitement.

It's truly impressive how Akcelo tapped into content culture, getting people away from screens and engaging in the public realm, en masse. But more than this, it shows that IRL delivery can still trump virtual versions. Would this have been as successful in the metaverse.