Channeling deep throat by Rae Ann Fera

Who you know can make your career. It certainly worked for Bob Woodward, who as a scrappy young journalist for the Washington Post relied on information from a secret source to blow the top off Watergate.

Now that the true identity of Woodward's source, Deep Throat, was revealed in early June as former FBI top dog W. Mark Felt, both Felt and Woodward are releasing a veritable geyser of details about their relationship. And I guess so. Thirty years is a long time to keep that pressure cooker sealed.

Turns out the two met haphazardly in the White House long before Woodward took up journalism and before Felt was appointed to a top intelligence post. Woodward, at this point unsure of his future ambitions, took advantage of his chance encounter with inquisitive vigor, and the two developed a relationship that culminated in what's arguably the US's greatest public scandal (though we're pulling for ol' George W. to come up with a doozie before he exits the White House).

This all reminds me of the perennial question of whether or not going to Cannes is worth it, or if it's just an excuse to break out the bikini, work on the Cannes diet and stake out your seat on the Carlton Terrace.

When that question was posed to festival CEO Terry Savage, he predictably and appropriately plugged for the week's schedule of sessions (see the Cannes Report pg. 36). He made the comment that if all you're there to do is meet people, then no, maybe it's not worth it. But, he said, if you attend the scheduled talks and events, then yes, there's much professional benefit to be had.

He certainly has a point that those taking time out of their busy schedule to pay 14 euros for a measly vodka should really do more than consider Cannes as a week-long expenses-paid vacation. But I'm not so sure about the idea that "just meeting people" is a less worthy goal than attending every scheduled seminar.

What if Woodward had just sat tight-lipped and dumbfounded that day in the White House? What if he'd never endeared himself to Felt as an inquiring and eager go-getter? He most likely wouldn't be assistant managing editor of the Washington Post today.

Yet, in the case of Cannes, that persnickety little question "is it worth it?" continues to come up each year. Those who have to ask it miss the point. Anyone can sit in a dark room watching commercials at home, and last time we checked there was a wealth of books on advertising and marketing available. But the perfect storm of creativity, networking, socializing and the sharing of information comes but once a year. And that's certainly an opportunity not to be missed. The key is to make it worth it.

Cheers, Rae Ann Fera Acting Editor/Associate Editor Click to Open Web Page