It’s that time of year again when the world’s big networks gather together for a week of drinking, networking, squandering large amounts of money and more drinking – the Cannes Advertising Festival. Wieden + Kennedy will of course be there, along with everyone else. But we won’t be on a giant yacht, watching the light dance on the Mediterranean, sitting on bar stools made out of whales’ foreskins, drinking vintage champagne while supermodels rub soothing unction into our finely-muscled torsos. (Of course, some may say, if you’re not going to do Cannes properly, then why do it at all?) Anyway, we’re going along with our Honda client, who have picked up the Advertiser of the Year Award. If Creativity magazine (above) is to be believed, W+K may be up for a few other things. Among their tips (and these things are usually wrong) are Coke Happiness Factory for Film Grand Prix (W+K Amsterdam), plus a couple of other things we had a hand in, like Nike Run London for Integrated Campaign (W+K London, with AKQA). Who will be the real winners? (Other than the hoteliers and bar-owners of Cannes and its environs.) That’s anyone’s guess. Does it really matter? It does to those who win big.

Last night witnessed the 2007 D&AD Awards, at Old Billingsgate Market.

Wieden + Kennedy had a very successful night, winning much coveted D&AD Pencils for Nike Run London (Integrated), Honda Choir (Editing) and Choir again (Sound Design). Yay.

A full list of the winners can be found here.

Comedian Dara O’Briain broke with industry awards tradition, by being very funny.

Here we see Darren Wright and Lucy Collier, picking up their Pencils from El Presidente of D&AD, Tony Davidson:

And that bottle isn’t in the foreground of the picture. That’s the actual bottle that Darren had his mouth to, shortly after this picture was taken.

Here’s the gorgeous Honda team:

Matt Gooden was particularly excited by his win:

And then we have assorted breast action, involving first of all Tapper, Bella and Sam:

And then more, with Stuart and, yes, Sam again:

And here we see Ida, David (look into my eyes) and Tubby’s album cover:

Lots of fun was had by all. Neil, W+K’s MD, is away on holiday at the moment. Neil – in case you’re reading this, don’t worry… absolutely everyone made it in this morning at the usual 8am.