UT Ex Wins Grand Prix at 2001 Cannes Lion

Rossana Bardales, graduate from the University of Texas Department of Advertising in 1996 was a recipient of the Grand Prix Award for the Fox Sports TV Campaign. Rossana is an Art Director for Cliff Freeman and Partners, NY. While attending UT, Rossana completed the Creative Portfolio Program in the Department of Advertising. "I graduated from the University of Texas with one goal...get hired by the best no matter what. I strongly believed that I had to go for it. Jump off the ledge, land on my feet, and run fast and furiously without brakes."

Every June, executives from agencies around the world congregate at Cannes in the south of France for the International Advertising Festival. The Cannes Lions -- the industry's most prestigious awards -- are conferred there as part of a weeklong occasion that makes up the advertising industry's largest and most important annual event.

On winning the Cannes Lions Grand Prix, Rossana acknowledges, "It was the most amazing experience and pleasant surprise. We had no idea that we were even up for the Grand Prix and didn't find out we won until the night before. We were at a party, dancing on the beach and one of the producers from our director's company comes running over asking if we had heard. And the rest is history."

"The ceremony was unbelievable. It was hard to believe that we were walking the same red carpet Scorsese had walked before or any of those directors. On stage it was like winning an academy award. It was enormous, the crowd was actually cheering our commercials and at one point I think they all stood up. A zillion cameras flashing, the whole bit. Insane!"

Congratulations to Rossana from the UT Department of Advertising. Keep up the great work!!!

8/14/2001