Fastline didn’t make it to Cannes this year (too small, no budget) but we had no problem keeping readers abreast with the unfolding news – thanks to the Cannes website, the Aussie trade media, and the Fairfax Media bulletins.

What we couldn’t capture, of course, was the personal stuff – like this (edited) list of Unofficial Cannes Lions Winners, courtesy of Mumbrella managing ed Robin Hicks:

• Juiciest rumour (a Grand Prix): The big networks have been leaning on the judges to vote for their own network’s entries.
• Juiciest rumour (Silver): Block voting by networks will lead to a boycott of Cannes.
• Biggest criticism of Cannes (Grand Prix): Presentations were repeats of those given at other festivals earlier in the year.
• Biggest criticism of Cannes (Gold): The work wasn’t as good as last year.
• Most conservative estimate for how much money the Cannes Lions makes: €39m (A$49m).
• Worst interview: The rambling, nonsensical non-questions put to former US President Bill Clinton. Who didn’t answer them anyway. The low-light of the festival? Probably.
• Most liberal application of hair product: Branded Content juror Michael Hilliard, executive producer, Finch Sydney.
• Most unlikely pairing in a conference session: Brazilian footballer Ronaldo and WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell.
• Best Cannes juror: Tham Khai Meng, global chief creative officer of Ogilvy, who chaired the Film and Press Lions. Tough but fair.
• Most casually dressed bigwig: global BBDO boss Andrew Robertson.
• Most well-attended press briefing: Debbie Harry from Blondie (she was asked all sorts of useful questions, like what her favourite ad is. And said: “I’m available to do ads”).
• Least well-attended attraction in Cannes: The beach.