Why Attending the Creative LIAisons Was the Best Thing That Happened to My Career

Creative LIAisons is a program, funded by LIA, meant to develop, educate, inspire and nurture emerging talent.

Through the Creative LIAisons Global Coaching Academy young, emerging talent around the world are given access to top award-winning people, learnings and opportunities.

David Puiroux attended the onsite program that offers seminars, panel discussions and workshops in a campus-like atmosphere.

Among the speakers for the 2024 Creative LIAisons onsite program where: Susan Credle (Chair of FCB), John Mescall (Global Creative Chair, by TheNetwork), Marco Venturelli (Chief Creative Officer, Publicis France), Liz Taylor (Global Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy), Kate Stanners (Global Chief Creative Officer, Saatchi & Saatchi), Emma de la Fosse (Chief Creative Officer, Edelman UK), Tiffany Rolfe (Global Chief Creative Officer, R/GA), Yasu Sasaki (Global Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu) and Malcolm Poynton (Global Chief Creative Officer, Cheil Worldwide).

Q> What were you expecting before going?

David> I discovered the program while reading an interview of a creative team who said it was the most rewarding and transformative experience of their careers, giving them an international overview of the creative world and connecting them with other creatives of their generation. And I have to say, it was.

At some point, I also expected to sell my identity papers, after gambling away all my savings. Some of my friends thought I'll end up living in the undergrounds of the Strip, but it's okay, I made it home.

Q> How would you describe the overall experience ?

David> Simply amazing! LIA's Creative LIAisons Director, Laurissa Levy, knows how to put on an event. We listened to a couple of jury panel interviews, had lots of talks from the most creative people in the world, took a school bus tour of the Seven Magic Mountains, did a workshop with a team of 9 other creatives from nine different countries for a local brand, and got inside the jury rooms. All while exploring the vibrant city of Las Vegas. It's a very intense and packed week where you end up with tons of LinkedIn notifications, new friends on IG and less money in your account.

Q> What were the most interesting parts of the week ?

David> All of the mentees were assigned to an LIA Awards category. We had the opportunity to actually be in the judging rooms while they were choosing colours. It felt like the most illegal thing ever, even for Las Vegas. I learned about the unspoken do's and don'ts of judging, how to defend a work you believe in, how to ask the right questions, to double check what you've been told, always put the work in a different perspective, stay focused on the category, all while staying true to yourself. It's a nice preview of being in the juror's shoes. Overall, it's like having a map to navigate the world of creative agencies; meeting colleagues from the other side of the world made me realise that we all focus on work in the same way and face the same challenges.

Q> What advice would you give to creatives that would like to attend next year 

David> If creativity is a universal language, believe me, English is another you'll need to master - be prepared for all kinds of accents. Know your game - have in mind the work everyone will be talking about, be curious about the people behind the jury: they're not here for nothing. Dive in - ask the question that's been on your mind, talk to whoever inspires you, it's happening now. Enjoy the show - Creative LIAisons is made for you, take as much as you can.