LAS VEGAS, USA — We were at the Seven Magic Mountains art installation, the site of one of the most unique mentoring sessions I’ve ever participated in, conducted by Malcom Poynton, Global Chief Creative Officer of Cheil Worldwide, and Jury President for Digital and Use of Social Media & Influencers at this year’s LIA. For the first few minutes of the session, he asked us to turn off our mobile phones and remove our sunglasses to fully immerse ourselves in the unfiltered sights, sounds, and sensations of the blistering Las Vegas desert, amidst these otherworldly, curiously-balanced set of giant, colorful boulders. It was as surreal an experience as one could imagine, and the three busloads of participants composed of Creative LIAisons attendees, juries, press, organizers, and friends were all basking in it.
It was then that I was approached by one of the attendees, with a slightly puzzled look on her face. “Is this it? These are just… …